This photograph taken in the German photo studio, Georg Brokesch, captures Edvard Grieg, an outstanding Norwegian composer and pianist, widely considered one of the leading Romantic era composers.
Grieg and Tchaikovsky’s face-to-face meeting took place in 1888 when the Russian composer went on his first tour of Europe as a conductor. They met in Leipzig in December, during a New Year’s dinner party at Adolph Brodsky’s, a famous violinist. Although the reception drew many distinguished guests, Grieg and Tchaikovsky were the headliners of the night. Both composers were revered worldwide and had heard a lot about one another well ahead of the meeting. It is known that Tchaikovsky had admired the work of his Norwegian counterpart before the two got to meet in person. It was only natural that the composers instantly developed a mutual liking and felt a deep spiritual connection at Brodsky’s reception, which they managed to maintain in correspondence later on.
Tchaikovsky was very happy to meet Grieg: he viewed him as a kindred spirit and an outstanding intellect. Aside from their similar views on creative work, the two shared a love for nature, traveling, and solitude: both composers preferred working when they were alone, composing music far away from the bustle of big cities. Tchaikovsky found Grieg to be an ingenious and witty conversation partner: the Russian composer was amazed by his distinctive Nordic character. A few days after they met, Grieg gave his photograph to Tchaikovsky, with a note in German — that very photo is on display here.
After that, Tchaikovsky and Grieg exchanged warm letters and repeatedly tried to arrange another face-to-face meeting. Grieg wrote to his friend: ‘We have got to meet up wherever: in Russia, Norway, or anywhere else! Kindred spirits don’t grow on trees! ’. Their plans, however, never came to life. Grieg continuously postponed his trip to Russia for different reasons. In 1893, both composers were supposed to receive the honorary degree of the Doctor of Music at the University of Cambridge, but Grieg could not make it to the ceremony due to an illness. Tchaikovsky died of cholera in St. Petersburg the same year.
Grieg and Tchaikovsky’s face-to-face meeting took place in 1888 when the Russian composer went on his first tour of Europe as a conductor. They met in Leipzig in December, during a New Year’s dinner party at Adolph Brodsky’s, a famous violinist. Although the reception drew many distinguished guests, Grieg and Tchaikovsky were the headliners of the night. Both composers were revered worldwide and had heard a lot about one another well ahead of the meeting. It is known that Tchaikovsky had admired the work of his Norwegian counterpart before the two got to meet in person. It was only natural that the composers instantly developed a mutual liking and felt a deep spiritual connection at Brodsky’s reception, which they managed to maintain in correspondence later on.
Tchaikovsky was very happy to meet Grieg: he viewed him as a kindred spirit and an outstanding intellect. Aside from their similar views on creative work, the two shared a love for nature, traveling, and solitude: both composers preferred working when they were alone, composing music far away from the bustle of big cities. Tchaikovsky found Grieg to be an ingenious and witty conversation partner: the Russian composer was amazed by his distinctive Nordic character. A few days after they met, Grieg gave his photograph to Tchaikovsky, with a note in German — that very photo is on display here.
After that, Tchaikovsky and Grieg exchanged warm letters and repeatedly tried to arrange another face-to-face meeting. Grieg wrote to his friend: ‘We have got to meet up wherever: in Russia, Norway, or anywhere else! Kindred spirits don’t grow on trees! ’. Their plans, however, never came to life. Grieg continuously postponed his trip to Russia for different reasons. In 1893, both composers were supposed to receive the honorary degree of the Doctor of Music at the University of Cambridge, but Grieg could not make it to the ceremony due to an illness. Tchaikovsky died of cholera in St. Petersburg the same year.
