Edvard Hagerup Grieg was born in Bergen Norway on 15 June, 1843. His mother was a professional pianist who began teaching him at the age of six. At thirteen, he began studies at the Leipzig Conservatory.
Encouraged by Liszt (Hungarian nationalist composer), Greig advocated a school of music based on Norwegian folk music. Grieg's deep love of both the beautiful landscape and the colourful folklore of his homeland found beautiful expression in his music. In general, he was happiest writing in the smaller forms of music - piano, pieces, chamber music, and songs, for example - rather than in symphonies or concertos. As a result, he is often referred to as a "miniaturist", which, in Grieg's case, is by no means a criticism.
Greig honoured two of Norway's most famous writers - the 18th century poet and dramatist Ludwig Holberg, in the Holberg Suite; and Grieg's contemporary, playwright Henrik Ibsen, with his haunting incidental music to Peer Gynt.
Grieg died at home on 4 September, 1907.
contributed by Gifford, Katya