The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-07-10


music -, - =
In the spring of 1860 an attack Of lung
trouble compelled him to5return1to. Nor
way, and altho this sickness. was of such.
a serious character that its effect cannot
to this daysabe sat .to85haVe Disappeared,
he returned in the fall Of the same year
to Leipzig, where he remained until 1862.
Then he settled at Copenhagen, mainly
to have the benefit of Gade's Instruction..
This stay at Copenhagen was Of great i'm
portance for the future Of Edward Grieg.
The Scandinavian color in the music of
Gade and Hartmann found in him an
earnest admirer, and he took up the study
of the Scandinavian sagas and poetry.
Then followed a series OF compositions,
songs and piano pieces, showing fine lyric
quality and conspicuously breezy and
strong national hue. 49, IT,. 2,z... . -,
In this connection it should also be
mentioned the great influence Rikard
Nordraak asserted over him in the direc-
ton Of awakening his enthusiasm for the
Norwegian folk-songs. .<
In 1855 Grieg went to Rome. Here,
among other works, he wrote the mourn
ing march over Nordraak. The year fol-
lowing he settled at Christiania, where he
lived till 1874, with exception of a trip
to Rome (1s697O). At Christiania he
was occupied with giving piano lessons
and conducting concerts. At Rome he
made the acquaintance of Franz Lszt and
found him g. warm friend. $3.50 -. %.
At this time he also became acquainted
with Bjornstjerne Bjornson, and they
have since, thru all these years, been
devoted friends, a friendship rich in mu-
tual influence, despite the great difference
between the two.
In 1874 the storthing allowed him a COM
posers salary (componistgage), and the
following year he went to Bergen, with
out settling down there for good, however,
but made Lofthus in Hardanger his home,
whence he took trips abroad. In 1880 he
was by his native city induced to become
leader Of the well-known musical. society
Harmonien. and in 1885 he settled In the
home he has built for himself not far
| from Bergen, and which he has chris
tened Troldhaugen Goblin Hill). He has,
however, almost up to the present time,
travelled abroad extensively, where he has
given concerts, and where he everywhere
has stirred his audiences and won fame
as one Of the worlds foremost In his line.
His music typiaes everything that Is pic
turesQue In the Norwegian nature, from
the sound of the mighty waterfall to the
silver melody of the small brook. He has
been elected honorary member Of several
| of the best known musical societies In
| the world, and a great number of decora-
tons have been bestowed upon him by
the crowned heads of Europe.
| On his concert tours he has had valu-
able assistance from his wife, Nina Grieg,
who, with the finest conception, has in
terpreted his songs. Mrs. Grieg was born
in 1845 at Haukeland, near Bergen.
| From her, eighth year she lived at Co.
ponhagen where Helsted was her teache,
in vocal music. Mr.. and Mrs. Grieg are
cousins, which very likely also has some
thing to do with their spiritual relation
ship. Certain it is at any rate, thai
however strong appeal Grieg's music
makes to the hearts of his audiences, II
is never so direct and convincing as wher
Mrs. Grtegs sings her husbands song
compositions. She knows them as nobody
else does; she knows them from the very
first moment Of their beginning; she has
and the strings of her soul are tuned t
the same keynote.
l At the Grieg festival, now going on a.
i Bergen, many notable men are gathered
4 Most prominent among them is, perhaps
Grieg's old friend, Bjornson, who. will
his wife, has made a cross-country tril
In order to be present, and in eloquen
words TO bring him the congratulation
Of all to whom his tunes are dear, no
lalone those Of his own countrymen, blu
from his friends everywhere, and to wisl
him strength to reach nilestones furthe
ahead and happiness in his LIES evening.
chrlstIanla and Thereabouts.
| So many Americans come to Norway
every year, a great number Of them being
from Minnesota, that a few hints or stray
bits Of information may be useful to those
j who have, as yet, not packed their trunks
for the Land of the Midnight Sun.
Whether you enter Christiania by raj
or by steamer, you at the station, or a
the landing, find the traditional hotel
4 runner, and it depends on yourself wheth