Edvard Grieg.

Name: Correspondence
Author: Edvard Grieg

Edvard Hagerup Grieg

Born 15 Jun 1843 Bergen, Norway

Died 4 Sep 1907 Bergen, Norway

Citizenship Norway

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Apr 5, 2026

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Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A Minor, completed in 1868, and his incidental music for Henrik Ibsen’s Peer Gynt 1876 established him as Norway’s foremost composer. His use of Norwegian folk melodies and unorthodox harmonies defined a national style. Grieg died in Bergen in 1907 at age 64.

Identity & family.

KIN · 3

Names, aliases, and relatives of Edvard Grieg — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Edvard Hagerup Grieg

Aliases Edward Grieg, E. Grig

PARENTS: Gesine Hagerup
SPOUSES: Nina Hagerup
SIBLINGS: John Grieg

At a glance.

STATS

Edvard Grieg by the numbers — life, work, and family.

64 Years lived

14 Books

1 Award

1 Marriage

Who was Edvard Grieg?

BIOGRAPHY

Edvard Grieg — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

At age six, Edvard Grieg began piano studies with his mother Gesine Hagerup in Bergen, Norway. He was born on June 15, 1843, and grew up with three sisters and an elder brother. His father Alexander Greig was an English consul of Scottish origin. The violinist Ole Bull, a family friend, recognized the 15-year-old’s talent and persuaded his parents to send him to the Leipzig Conservatory in 1858.

At Leipzig, Grieg studied under Ignaz Moscheles and graduated with honors in 1862, though he later expressed dissatisfaction with the conservatory’s discipline. A severe bout of pleurisy and tuberculosis in 1860 nearly ended his life at age 17.

Career

Grieg completed his Piano Concerto in A Minor in 1868 while on holiday in Denmark. It premiered on April 3, 1869, at the Casino Theatre in Copenhagen with Edmund Neupert as soloist; Grieg himself was unable to attend due to conducting commitments in Christiania now Oslo. Franz Liszt, after sightreading the manuscript in Rome in 1870, gave Grieg orchestration advice and helped secure a state stipend.

In 1876, Henrik Ibsen asked Grieg to write incidental music for his play Peer Gynt. The complete score runs ninety minutes, but Grieg later extracted two orchestral suites that became his most performed works alongside the Piano Concerto. His collections of Lyrical Pieces for piano and his Norwegian Dances further popularized Norwegian folk music. Grieg also founded the concert society Euterpe in Christiania and collaborated with writer Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson on dramatic compositions.

In 1874, the Norwegian parliament awarded Grieg an annual grant of 1600 kronen, allowing him to quit teaching and focus on composition in his cottage at Hardanger fjord. He performed his concerto in London frequently during the 1880s and 1890s, building his European reputation.

Personal life

Grieg married his first cousin, Nina Hagerup, a lyric soprano, on June 11, 1867. Their only child died at one year old. Nina often performed Grieg’s songs in concert, and the couple toured Europe together from 1878 to 1880.

Grieg suffered from a destroyed left lung, a deformed thoracic spine, and repeated respiratory infections throughout his life. He made multiple visits to spas and sanatoria in Norway and abroad. His last words were reportedly Well, if it must be so. He died on September 4, 1907, at the Municipal Hospital in Bergen from heart failure.

Legacy

Grieg’s music became a symbol of Norwegian national identity, influencing later composers and bringing Scandinavian folk traditions to global audiences. His use of folk melodies and unorthodox harmonies earned him the nickname Chopin of the North from Hans von Bülow. The Edvard Grieg Museum at his former home, Troldhaugen, now hosts annual festivals of his music. Bergen’s largest concert hall, Grieg Hall, and the Grieg Academy music school bear his name.

He received honorary doctorates from the University of Cambridge in 1894 and the University of Oxford in 1906. Grieg is most remembered for his Piano Concerto in A Minor and the Peer Gynt Suites, which remain staples of the orchestral repertoire.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 1

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Edvard Grieg — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav

Bibliography.

BOOKS · 14

Edvard Grieg's bibliography — every authored, edited, and co-written book, ranked by edition count.

Amazon

Correspondence

by Edvard Grieg
Amazon

Peer Gynt

by Edvard Grieg
Amazon

Fifty Songs

by Robert Franz et al.
Amazon

Grieg

by Edvard Grieg
Amazon

Edvard Grieg

by Edvard Grieg
Amazon

Music Minus One Piano

by Edvard Grieg
Amazon

Grieg and Delius

by Edvard Grieg

Could not load more books.

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 1

A wall of memorable lines from Edvard Grieg — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

One Must First Be a Human Being. All True Art Grows Out of That Which Is Distinctively Human.

Did you know?

FACTS · 20

Little-known facts about Edvard Grieg — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

He composed the incidental music for the original 1876 stage production of Peer Gynt at the invitation of the play’s author, Henrik Ibsen. The complete score plays for about ninety minutes, but the music became so popular that Grieg fashioned two fifteen-minute orchestral suites from it, and these suites are now far more frequently performed than either the complete score or Ibsen’s own play. The Peer Gynt Suites became, along with his Piano Concerto in A Minor, Grieg’s most often-performed works. As of 2004, there has still never been a major English-language film or television version of Peer Gynt with Grieg’s music, though it has been used in a 1986 Norwegian TV version and in Charlton Heston’s silent, student-made 1941 film version.
Among the founders of the Norwegian nationalist school of music was Edvard Grieg.
Edvard Grieg was raised in a musical family. His mother was his first piano teacher and taught him to play when he was age six.
Franz Liszt, who had not yet met Grieg, wrote in 1868 a testimonial for him to the Norwegian Ministry of Education, which resulted in Grieg’s obtaining a travel grant. The two men met in Rome in 1870. During Grieg’s first visit, they examined Grieg’s Violin Sonata No. 1, which pleased Liszt greatly. On his second visit in April, Grieg brought with him the manuscript of his Piano Concerto, which Liszt proceeded to sightread including the orchestral arrangement. Liszt’s rendition greatly impressed his audience, although Grieg said gently to him that he played the first movement too quickly. Liszt also gave Grieg some advice on orchestration for example, to give the melody of the second theme in the first movement to a solo trumpet, which Grieg himself chose not to accept.
Edvard Grieg was a Norwegian composer and pianist. His music, including the Piano Concerto and Peer Gynt suites, is part of the standard classical repertoire worldwide.
Edvard Grieg died at the Municipal Hospital in Bergen, Norway, on 4 September 1907 at age 64 from heart failure. He had suffered a long period of illness. His last words were Well, if it must be so.
Grieg was awarded two honorary doctorates, first by the University of Cambridge in 1894 and the next from the University of Oxford in 1906.
In the summer of 1858, Grieg met the eminent Norwegian violinist Ole Bull, who was a family friend; Bull’s brother was married to Grieg’s aunt. Bull recognized the 15-year-old boy’s talent and persuaded his parents to send him to the Leipzig Conservatory, the piano department of which was directed by Ignaz Moscheles.
The Edvard Grieg Museum at Grieg’s former home, Troldhaugen, is dedicated to his legacy.
In the summer of 1868, Grieg wrote his Piano Concerto in A minor while on holiday in Denmark. Edmund Neupert gave the concerto its premiere performance on 3 April 1869 at the Casino Theatre in Copenhagen. Grieg himself was unable to be there due to conducting commitments in Christiania now Oslo.
Grieg is the most celebrated person from the city of Bergen, with numerous statues that depict his image and many cultural entities named after him: the city’s largest concert building Grieg Hall, its most advanced music school Grieg Academy and its professional choir Edvard Grieg Kor.
On 11 June 1867, Grieg married his first cousin, Nina Hagerup 1845-1935, a lyric soprano.
In 1862, he finished his studies in Leipzig and had his first concert in his hometown, where his program included Beethoven’s Pathétique sonata.
Throughout his life, Grieg’s health was impaired by a destroyed left lung and considerable deformity of his thoracic spine. He suffered from numerous respiratory infections, and ultimately developed combined lung and heart failure. Grieg was admitted many times to spas and sanatoria both in Norway and abroad. Several of his doctors became his friends.
In 1863, Grieg went to Copenhagen, Denmark, and stayed there for three years. He met the Danish composers J. P. E. Hartmann and Niels Gade. He also met his fellow Norwegian composer Rikard Nordraak composer of the Norwegian national anthem, who became a good friend and source of inspiration. Nordraak died in 1866, and Grieg composed a funeral march in his honor.
The family name, originally spelled Greig, is associated with the Scottish Clann Ghriogair Clan Gregor. After the Battle of Culloden in Scotland in 1746, Grieg’s great-grandfather, Alexander Greig 1739-1803, travelled widely before settling in Norway about 1770 and establishing business interests in Bergen. Grieg’s paternal great-great-grandparents, John 1702-1774 and Anne 1704-1784, are buried in the abandoned churchyard of the ruined Church of St Ethernan in Rathen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
His use of Norwegian folk music in his own compositions brought the music of Norway to fame, as well as helping to develop a national identity, much as Jean Sibelius did in Finland and Bedrich Smetana in Bohemia.
In the spring of 1860, he survived two life-threatening lung diseases, pleurisy and tuberculosis.
In 1861, Grieg made his debut as a concert pianist in Karlshamn, Sweden.
Grieg enrolled in the Leipzig conservatory, concentrating on piano, and enjoyed the many concerts and recitals given in Leipzig. He disliked the discipline of the conservatory course of study. An exception was the organ, which was mandatory for piano students. About his study in the conservatory, he wrote to his biographer, Aimar Grønvold, in 1881: I must admit, unlike Svendsen, that I left Leipzig Conservatory just as stupid as I entered it. Naturally, I did learn something there, but my individuality was still a closed book to me.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 48

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Edvard Grieg.

When was Edvard Grieg born?

Edvard Grieg was born on June 15, 1843, in Bergen, Norway. He came from a musical family; his mother Gesine Hagerup was an educated pianist who gave him his first lessons. This early start set the foundation for his career as a composer.
Where was Edvard Grieg born?

Edvard Grieg was born in Bergen, Norway, on June 15, 1843. The city’s rich cultural environment and natural beauty later influenced his music. He is now considered Bergen’s most famous citizen.
When did Edvard Grieg die?

Edvard Grieg died on September 4, 1907, at age 64. He passed away at the Municipal Hospital in Bergen, Norway, from heart failure after a long period of illness. His last words were reportedly Well, if it must be so.
How old was Edvard Grieg when he died?

Edvard Grieg was 64 years old when he died on September 4, 1907. He was born on June 15, 1843, making his age at death exactly 64 years, 2 months, and 20 days. His health had been fragile throughout his life.
Where did Edvard Grieg die?

Edvard Grieg died at the Municipal Hospital in Bergen, Norway. He had been admitted due to worsening heart and lung problems. His body was later laid to rest in a mountain cave at his countryside estate in Troldhaugen.
How did Edvard Grieg die?

Edvard Grieg died from heart failure on September 4, 1907, at the Municipal Hospital in Bergen. He had suffered from chronic respiratory infections and a deformed thoracic spine throughout his life. His death marked the end of a career that defined Norwegian classical music.
What was Edvard Grieg's real name?

Edvard Grieg’s full birth name was Edvard Hagerup Grieg. He was named after his grandfather, and Hagerup was his mother’s maiden name. He sometimes used the aliases Edward Grieg or E. Grig in some publications.
What nationality was Edvard Grieg?

Edvard Grieg was Norwegian by nationality. He was born in Bergen, Norway, and his family had Scottish roots on his father’s side. His music is closely tied to Norwegian folk traditions and national identity.
What language did Edvard Grieg speak?

Edvard Grieg’s native language was Norwegian. He also studied German during his time at the Leipzig Conservatory in Germany. His correspondence and writings were primarily in Norwegian, but he was proficient in German and some English for his international career.
Who were Edvard Grieg's parents?

Edvard Grieg’s mother was Gesine Hagerup, an educated pianist who gave him his first piano lessons. His father was Alexander Greig, an English consul of Scottish origin. His mother’s family had strong musical connections, including the violinist Ole Bull, who was a key mentor.
Who was Edvard Grieg married to?

Edvard Grieg married his first cousin, Nina Hagerup, on June 11, 1867. Nina was a talented lyric soprano who often performed his songs in concert. Their only child died in infancy, but the couple remained together until Grieg’s death in 1907.
Did Edvard Grieg have any siblings?

Yes, Edvard Grieg had one sibling, a brother named John Grieg. He also grew up with three sisters, though they are not named in most records. His elder brother was part of the family’s large household in Bergen.
Where did Edvard Grieg go to school?

Edvard Grieg attended Tanks Upper Secondary School in Bergen before being sent to the Leipzig Conservatory in Germany. At the Leipzig Conservatory, he studied piano under Ignaz Moscheles and graduated with honors in 1862. He later expressed ambivalence about the conservatory’s strict curriculum.
What awards did Edvard Grieg win?

Edvard Grieg was awarded the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav, Norway’s highest civil honor. He also received honorary doctorates from the University of Cambridge in 1894 and the University of Oxford in 1906. These recognitions reflected his international stature.
How tall was Edvard Grieg?

Edvard Grieg was 5 feet 0 inches tall, or about 1.52 meters. His small stature was noticeable, but it did not hinder his success as a pianist and composer. He often performed standing at the piano, despite his delicate health.
Did Edvard Grieg use any other names?

Yes, Edvard Grieg was sometimes referred to as Edward Grieg or E. Grig, particularly in non-Norwegian contexts. These aliases appear on some early recordings and publications. His full birth name was Edvard Hagerup Grieg.
For which works is Edvard Grieg best known?

Edvard Grieg is best known for his Piano Concerto in A Minor 1868 and the two Peer Gynt Suites 1876, which he extracted from his incidental music for Henrik Ibsen’s play. These works are among the most performed pieces in the classical repertoire and exemplify his nationalistic style.
What was Edvard Grieg's first major composition?

Edvard Grieg’s first major composition was his Piano Concerto in A Minor, completed in 1868 when he was 25 years old. It premiered in Copenhagen on April 3, 1869, with Edmund Neupert as soloist. The concerto remains one of his signature works.
Did Edvard Grieg meet Franz Liszt?

Yes, Edvard Grieg met Franz Liszt in Rome in 1870. Liszt had previously written a testimonial that helped Grieg obtain a travel grant. During their meeting, Liszt sightread Grieg’s Piano Concerto manuscript, including the orchestral arrangement, which deeply impressed Grieg and the audience, though Grieg gently noted that Liszt played the first movement too quickly.
Who inspired Edvard Grieg to pursue music?

Edvard Grieg’s mother, Gesine Hagerup, was his first piano teacher and inspired his early interest in music. Later, the famous Norwegian violinist Ole Bull recognized his talent at age 15 and persuaded his parents to send him to the Leipzig Conservatory. Bull’s guidance was pivotal in Grieg’s career trajectory.
What were Edvard Grieg's last words?

Edvard Grieg’s last words were reportedly Well, if it must be so. He spoke them shortly before dying of heart failure on September 4, 1907, at the Municipal Hospital in Bergen. He had been ill for a long period and accepted his fate calmly.
Where is Edvard Grieg buried?

Edvard Grieg was laid to rest in a mountain cave at his countryside estate in Troldhaugen, near Bergen, Norway. His wife Nina later made the villa into a museum. A concert hall was built nearby to host annual festivals of his music.
Did Edvard Grieg have any children?

Edvard Grieg and his wife Nina had one child, a daughter who died at only one year old. The couple had no other children. This personal tragedy marked their marriage, and they focused on their musical partnership instead.
What health problems did Edvard Grieg have?

Edvard Grieg suffered throughout his life from a destroyed left lung and considerable deformity of his thoracic spine, likely from tuberculosis as a teenager. He had numerous respiratory infections and spent time at spas and sanatoria. Ultimately, he developed combined lung and heart failure.
What is the Edvard Grieg Museum?

The Edvard Grieg Museum is located at Grieg’s former home, Troldhaugen, in Bergen, Norway. It preserves his original villa and personal belongings. A concert hall nearby hosts the annual Bergen International Festival, which celebrates Grieg’s music.
How did Edvard Grieg contribute to Norwegian national identity?

Edvard Grieg’s use of Norwegian folk melodies and traditional dance rhythms in his compositions helped forge a distinct national musical identity. His works such as the Peer Gynt Suites and Norwegian Dances brought Norwegian culture to international audiences, much as Jean Sibelius did for Finland and Bedrich Smetana for Bohemia.
What is the Piano Concerto in A Minor?

The Piano Concerto in A Minor is Edvard Grieg’s most famous work, completed in 1868. It premiered on April 3, 1869, in Copenhagen. The concerto is known for its dramatic opening, lyrical melodies, and incorporation of Norwegian folk elements. It remains a staple of the piano concerto repertoire.
What is Peer Gynt?

Peer Gynt is a play by Henrik Ibsen for which Edvard Grieg composed incidental music in 1876. The music includes famous pieces like Morning Mood and In the Hall of the Mountain King. Grieg later extracted two orchestral suites from the score, which are more frequently performed than the complete play.
Did Edvard Grieg teach music?

Yes, after returning to Norway in 1866, Edvard Grieg worked as a music teacher in Christiania Oslo to support himself. He also co-founded the concert society Euterpe with a choir and orchestra. In 1874, he received an annual state grant of 1600 kronen, allowing him to quit teaching and focus on composition.
What was Grieg's nickname?

Edvard Grieg was nicknamed the Chopin of the North by the German conductor Hans von Bülow. The nickname reflected Grieg’s lyrical piano style and his ability to express national character through music, much like Frédéric Chopin did for Poland.
How many pieces did Grieg write for piano?

Edvard Grieg wrote numerous piano works, including the ten books of Lyrical Pieces 1867-1901, which contain 66 individual pieces. He also composed the Piano Concerto in A Minor and many short character pieces. His piano music is known for its intimate, poetic quality.
Did Edvard Grieg ever perform in London?

Yes, Edvard Grieg performed his Piano Concerto in A Minor in London during the 1880s and 1890s. He was well received by British audiences and developed a strong following. He also received an honorary doctorate from the University of Oxford in 1906 during a visit.
What is Troldhaugen?

Troldhaugen is Edvard Grieg’s former home in Bergen, Norway, where he lived and composed from 1885 until his death. The estate includes his villa, a composer’s hut where he worked, and his grave. It is now the Edvard Grieg Museum, and a concert hall was built nearby for annual festivals.
How did Grieg become interested in folk music?

Edvard Grieg’s interest in folk music developed during his time in Copenhagen 1863-1866 under the influence of Rikard Nordraak, a fellow Norwegian composer passionate about folk traditions. After returning to Norway, Grieg incorporated folk melodies and rhythms into his compositions, creating a national style.
What are some famous works by Edvard Grieg?

Edvard Grieg’s most famous works include the Piano Concerto in A Minor, the Peer Gynt Suites Morning Mood, In the Hall of the Mountain King, the Holberg Suite, and numerous Lyrical Pieces for piano. His music often evokes Norwegian landscapes and culture.
Did Edvard Grieg have a Scottish heritage?

Yes, Edvard Grieg’s paternal family originally spelled their name Greig and were of Scottish origin. His great-grandfather Alexander Greig settled in Norway around 1770 after the Battle of Culloden. The family name is associated with the Scottish Clan Gregor.
What was Grieg's relationship with Henrik Ibsen?

Edvard Grieg was asked by Henrik Ibsen to compose incidental music for his play Peer Gynt in 1876. The collaboration was successful, and Grieg’s music helped popularize the play. However, Grieg later expressed some frustration that the Peer Gynt Suites overshadowed his other works.
What instruments did Grieg play?

Edvard Grieg was primarily a pianist, but he also studied organ during his time at the Leipzig Conservatory. He performed as a concert pianist throughout his career, often playing his own compositions. He owned a Steinway baby grand piano at his cottage in Hardanger.
How did Grieg die?

Edvard Grieg died from heart failure on September 4, 1907, at the Municipal Hospital in Bergen. He had long suffered from respiratory issues and a deformed spine. His death marked the end of an era for Norwegian classical music.
What awards did Edvard Grieg receive?

Edvard Grieg received the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav, honorary doctorates from the University of Cambridge 1894 and the University of Oxford 1906, and an annual state grant from the Norwegian government in 1874. He was also a member of the Royal Music Society in Stockholm.
Who was Edvard Grieg's teacher at Leipzig?

At the Leipzig Conservatory, Edvard Grieg studied piano under Ignaz Moscheles, a prominent pianist and composer. Moscheles was the director of the piano department, and Grieg graduated with honors in 1862.
What is the Grieg Hall?

The Grieg Hall Grieghallen is the largest concert building in Bergen, Norway, named after Edvard Grieg. It hosts the Bergen International Festival and numerous classical concerts. The hall’s architecture reflects Grieg’s connection to Norwegian nature.
Did Edvard Grieg conduct?

Yes, Edvard Grieg conducted orchestras, particularly for performances of his own works. He founded the Euterpe concert society in Christiania and often conducted his Peer Gynt suites and other orchestral pieces.
How is Grieg's music used in films?

Edvard Grieg’s music, especially the Peer Gynt suites, has been frequently used in film scores due to its vivid imagery. Pieces like Morning Mood have appeared in countless movies and television shows. However, as of 2004, no major English-language film adaptation of Peer Gynt using his complete score existed, though a 1941 student film by Charlton Heston used it.
What was Grieg's connection to the violin?

Edvard Grieg did not play the violin, but he had close ties to violinists: his mentor Ole Bull was a famous violinist, and his cousin’s husband was Bull’s brother. Grieg composed three violin sonatas, which are part of his chamber music output.
Where did Grieg spend his summers?

Edvard Grieg spent many summers composing in a cottage at Hardanger fjord, surrounded by the Norwegian landscapes he loved. The serene environment inspired him to write works like the Lyrical Pieces. His Steinway baby grand piano was installed there.
What is the significance of Grieg's last work?

Edvard Grieg’s last completed orchestral work was the Four Psalms for chorus and orchestra, Op. 74, based on Norwegian folk melodies. He continued composing until the end of his life, and his final works reflect his deep connection to folk traditions.
How many siblings did Grieg have?

Edvard Grieg had one elder brother, John Grieg, and three sisters whose names are less documented. He grew up in a large household in Bergen, which fostered his early musical education.

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Published on April 5, 2026

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