GRIEG, grg, EDVARD HAGERCP ( 1843— ). A Norwegian composer and pianist, born at Bergen, Norway, June 15, 1843, one year after the birth of the unfortunate Rikard Nordraak (1842-66), who afterwards exercised so powerful an influence upon the expression of Grieg's genius. On the completion of his studies at Leipzig, in 1862, lie went to Copenhagen for a period of study with Cade, whom he determined to emulate, and im mediately plunged into a close study of Norse Saga literature, legendary lore, folk-music, and national melodic characteristics. It was at this period of his development that Rikard Nordraak entered into his life, and by his greater insight made clear to Grieg the path of which the latter was in search. Quite a number of vocal ro mances. the Ilumoresken (op. 6), the E minor piano sonata (op. 7), and the F minor piano and violin sonata (op. 8) are souvenirs of this friend ship. The winter of 1865-66 was spent in Rome, after which he made Christiania his home for eight years. His residence in the latter city was inaugurated by a concert of Norse music which he gave, and at which Mina Hagerup (whom lie later married) sang romances written by Nor draak, Kjerulf, and himself. A stay of a few
months in Rome, in 1870, was made possible by the grant of a Government stipend. Here lie received much encouragement from Liszt, to whom he dedicated his Fortin Sydcns Kloster (from Bjornson's A nil jot), a work of magnificent power and conception. Next followed important engagements in England and Germany. where he was held in the highest esteem. Gricg has been called the Chopin of Northern music, be cause of the undercurrent of melodic nationality in his work, yet, on the other hand, the vigor and constantly recurring note of defiance is as .-er tainly akin to Schumann. Of his larger composi tions, the Peer Gynt Suite is perhaps the most widely known, and of his smaller works, the short piano compositions are universally popular. An excellent biographical sketch is Closson. Edvard Grieg ct la musique scandinarc (Paris, 1892).