- Niels Gade
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Niels Wilhelm Gade (22 February 1817 – 21 December 1890) was a Danish composer, conductor, violinist, organist and teacher. He is considered the most important Danish musician of his day.
Contents
Biography
Gade was born in Copenhagen, the son of a joiner and instrument maker. He began his career as a violinist with the Royal Danish Orchestra, and saw his concert overture Efterklange af Ossian ("Echoes of Ossian") premiered with them in 1841. When his first symphony was turned down for performance in Copenhagen, he sent it to Felix Mendelssohn. Mendelssohn received the work positively, and conducted it in Leipzig in March 1843, to enthusiastic public reaction. Supported by a fellowship from the Danish government, Gade himself moved to Leipzig, teaching at the Conservatory there, working as an assistant conductor of the Gewandhaus Orchestra, and befriending Mendelssohn, who had an important influence on his music. In 1845 he conducted the premiere performance of Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor. He also became friends with Robert Schumann.
At Mendelssohn’s death in 1847, Gade was appointed to his position as chief conductor but was forced to return to Copenhagen in the spring of 1848 when war broke out between Prussia and Denmark.
In Copenhagen Gade became director of the Copenhagen Musical Society (a post he retained until his death) and, establishing a new orchestra and chorus, settled in to a career as the most prominent musician in Denmark. He also worked as an organist; though he lost the prestigious position of organist at Copenhagen Cathedral to J.P.E. Hartmann, he served in the Church of Holmen in Copenhagen from 1850 until his death. Gade was joint director of the Copenhagen Conservatory with Hartmann (whose daughter he married in 1852) and Holger Simon Paulli. An important influence on a number of later Scandinavian composers, he encouraged and taught both Edvard Grieg and Carl Nielsen, as well as lesser figures such as Otto Malling and Asger Hamerik. He died in Copenhagen.
Among Gade's works are eight symphonies, a violin concerto, chamber music, organ and piano pieces and a number of large-scale cantatas, Comala (1846) and Elverskud (1853) amongst them, which he called koncertstykker ("concert pieces"). These products, embraced post-1848 as works of Romantic nationalism,[1] are sometimes based on Danish folklore. Apparently Gade never rated "Brudevalsen" (The Bridal Waltz), and assigned it to the waste paper basket from where, it is rumoured, it was rescued by August Bournonville, to become an essential part of a Danish wedding.
He married Emma Sophie Amalie Hartmann, daughter of J.P.E. Hartmann, in 1852. He remarried in 1857 after her death.
Works
Year Op. Title, scoring, key, and other details 1836 — Overture, E 1836 — Allegro, A minor, String quartet 1837 — Andante & allegro molto, F minor String quintet (2 violins, viola and 2 cellos) 1839 — Piano trio, B-flat major 1840 — Seht', welch ein Mensch! Hymn. Choir a capella. 1840 — Hilf uns, Gott, in unserm Streit. Gebeth. Choir a capella. 1840 1 Echoes of Ossian (Efterklange af Ossian), A minor Overture 1840 — Fædrelandets muser, ballet, Johannes Frederik Frølich 1840 28 Piano Sonata in E minor (revised 1854) 1840 — String quartet, F major 1840 — Fem Fædrelandshistoriske Songs — Hvi synges evigt om Spartaner, Daniel Rantzau. Text by Adam Oehlenschläger — En Schweitzerbonde staar aarle ved Strand, Den sælsome Jordefærd. Text by Adam Oehlenschläger — Der risler en Kilde i Haraldsted Skov. Text by H. P. Holst — Før var der knap skrevet paa dansk en Band, Ludvig Holberg. Text by C. Vilster — Paa Sjølunds fagre Sletter. Text by B. S. Ingemann 1841 2b Spring Flowers (Foraarstoner), 3 Piano pieces. Revised Version 1873 — Allegretto grazioso, F major — Andantino con moto, B-flat major — Allegretto cantabile, C major 1841 — 6 Songs. C. E. F. Weyse 1842 3 Agnete and Havfruerne. Solo, female choir and orchestra. Text by H.C. Andersen — Jeg ved et Slot, dets Væg og Tag, Havfruesang — Sol deroppe ganger under Lide, Agnetes Vuggevise 1842 4 Nordiske Tonebilleder. Piano 4 hands Allegro risoluto, F major Allegretto quasi Andantino, F minor Allegro commodo, F major 1842 5 1st Symphony, C minor, Paa Sjølunds fagre Sletter 1842 6 1st violin sonata, A major 1842 — Napoli. Ballet by August Bournonville. (H. S. Paulli & Edvard Helsted) 1842 — 3 Songs. Text by Chr. Winther 1843 10 2nd Symphony, E major 1844 7 In the Highlands (I Højlandet), D major. Overture 1845 8 String quintet, E minor. 2 violins, 2 violas, cello 1845 9 Nine folksongs. Soli and piano. Text by ? 1845 11 6 Songs. Male choir 1846 12 Comala. Cantata. Soli, choir and orchestra. Text after Ossian 1846 13 5 Songs. Choir a capella. Text by Emanuel Geibel — Der Frühling ist ein starker Held, Ritter Frühling — Die stille Wasserrose steigt, Die Wasserrose — Wer recht in Freuden wandern will, Morgenwanderung — Feldeinwärts fland ein, Herbstlied — Im Wald im hellen Sonnenschein, Im Wald 1846 14 Overture (No. 3), C major 1846 — O du, der du die Liebe bist. Choir and strings. Text by ? 1847 15 3rd Symphony, A minor 1848 16 Horseman's Life (Ridderliv). 6 Songs. Male choir. Text by C. Schultes 1848 18 Three character pieces, Piano 4 hands — Bortreisen, C major — Valpladsen, E minor — Hjemkomsten, E major 1849 17 Octet, F major, 4 violins, 2 violas and 2 cellos 1849 21a 2nd violin sonata, D minor 1849 21b Three digte. Text by Carsten Hauch — Herr Magnus han stirrer i Vinternatten ud, Knud Lavard — Hvorfor svulmer Weichselfloden, Polsk Fædrelandssang — Hvi staar du saa ensom o Birketræ, Birken 1849 — Mariotta. Syngestykke. Text by Carl Borgaard efter Eugène Scribe 1850 19 Akvareller, Piano 1850 20 4th Symphony, B-flat major 1850 — Nordisk Sæterrejse, F major. Lystspil Overture 1850 — 3 Songs. Text by H. C. Andersen 1851 22 3 tone pieces, Organ — Tonestykke, F major — Tonestykke, C major — Tonestykke, A minor 1851 — String quartet, F minor 1852 23 Spring Fantasy (Foraarsfantasi). Cantata. Soli, piano and orchestra. Text by Edmund Lobedanz 1852 24 Bilder des Orients. 5 songs. Text by Heinrich Stieglitz — Deine Stimme lass ertonen — Milde Abendlüfte wehen, Ständchen — Meinen Kranz hab' ich gesendet — Ihr habt genug getrunken, Am Brunnen — Wenn der letzte Saum des Tages 1852 25 5th Symphony, D minor, Piano 1852 — Albumsblade. Piano 1852 — 3 Songs - bl. a. — Grøn er Vaarens Hæk, Aprilvise. Text by Poul Martin Møller 1852 — Op thi Dagen nu frembryder. Text by H. A. Brorson 1853 26 5 Songs. Male choir 1853 29 Novelletter, Piano trio 1854 27 Arabeske. Piano 1854 28 Piano sonata, E minor. Revision of the 1840 sonata 1854 30 Elverskud. Cantata. Soli, choir and orchestra. Text by Chr. K. F. Molbech 1854 — Et folkesagn. Ballet by August Bournonville. (Acts I and III; J. P. E. Hartmann composed the music for Act II) 1855 31 Folkedanse. Piano 1856 — Udrust dig Helt fra Golgata. Text by Johs. Ewald 1856 — O du, der du die Liebe bist. Choir a capella. Text by ? (Tidligere version 1846) 1856 — Minde Cantata over Fru Anna Nielsen 1857 32 6th Symphony, G minor 1857 34 Idyller. Piano — I Blomsterhaven, G major — Ved Bækken, F major — Trækfugle, D major — Bytendæmring, D major 1857 — Baldurs drøm. Cantata. Soli, choir and orchestra. Text by Adolph Hertz 1857 — Fra skitsebanden. Piano 1858 33 5 Songs. Male choir 1858 35 Foraars-Budskab. Koncertstykke. Choir and orchestra. Text by Emanuel Geibel 1859 36 Children's Christmas (Børnenes Jul), Piano — Jule-Klokkerne, F major — Indgangsmarch, A major — Drengenes Runddans, A minor — Smaapigernes Dans, E major — Godnat! F major 1859 — Barn Jesus i en Krybbe laa. Text by H. C. Andersen 1859 — Minde Cantata for Overhofmarschal Chamberlain Levetzau 1860 — Andantino, C-sharp minor. Piano 1860 — Albumblad, C major. Piano 1860 — Danserinden, F major. Piano 1860 — Minde Cantata for Skuespiller Nielsen 1861 37 Hamlet, C minor. Overture 1861 39 Michelangelo, F major. Overture 1861 40 Die heilige Nacht. Cantata. Solo, choir and orchestra. Text after August von Platen 1861 41 Four Fantastic Pieces. Piano — I Skoven, B major — Mignon, F minor — Eventyr, G minor — Ved Festen, B major 1861 — Piano piece, B-flat major. Oprindelig skitse til Fantasistykke op 41 1861 — Scherzino Akvarel. Piano 1862 38 5 Songs. Male choir 1863 42 Piano trio, F major 1863 — Sørgemarch ved Kong Frederik. d. 7.'s Død D minor. 1863 — Holger Danskes Songs. Text by B. S. Ingemann — Ved Leire græsse nu Faar paa Vold. Holger Danskes Vugge — Vær hilset mit gamle Fædreland, Holger Danskes hilsen til frænderne — Kong Gøttrik sad ene paa Leire Borg, Holgers bortsendelse — Jeg frit mig tumled i Verden om, Holger Danskes vej — Der klang til Danmark en Kæmpesang, Holgers kamp Burmand — Til Rosengaarden gik jeg i Jomfruens Baand, Prinsesse Gloriant — Tolv Riddere sad ved Kejserens Bord, De tolv jævninger — Faner vifted over Sjolde, De elleve jævningers jordefærd — Svart længtes jeg efter mit Fædreland, Holgers Orlov and Hjemfart — I alle de Riger og Lande, Holger Danskes mærke — Hvor Oberon lever, Ved mindernes kilde — Vær hilset mit gamle Fædreland, Holger Danskes Tilbagekomst til Danmark 1864 43 3 Fantasi pieces, Clarinet and piano 1864 44 Sextet, E-flat major, 2 violins, 2 violas and 2 cellos 1864 45 7th Symphony, F major 1865 46 At Sunset (Ved solnedgang). Cantata. Choir and orchestra. Text by A. Munch 1866 50 The Crusaders (Korsfarerne). Cantata. Soli, choir and orchestra. Text by Carl Andersen 1869 48 Kalanus. Cantata. Soli, choir and orchestra. Text by Carl Andersen 1869 54 Gefion. Cantata. Baritone, choir and orchestra. Text by Adam Oehlenschläger 1869 — Festsang i Rosenborg Have. Choir and piano. Text by Frederik Paludan-Müller? 1871 47 8th Symphony, B minor 1871 51 Seasonal Pictures (Aarstidsbilleder). Soli, female choir and orchestra. Text by Carl Andersen — Som Skygger i den dunkle Nat, Sommernat — Trækfuglen flyver dristigt op, Løvfald — Det flagrer mod Bondens Rude, Julekvæld — Hvad dæmrer i Øst bag den rødmende Sky, Løvspring 1872 — Festmusik til den nordiske Industriudstillings Aabningsfest. Choir. Text by Carl Ploug 1873 52 The Mountain Thrall (Den bjergtagne). Cantata. soli, male choir and orchestra. Text by Carsten Hauch 1873 2b Spring Flowers (Foraarstoner), 3 piano pieces. (revised version of 1841 pieces) — Allegretto grazioso, F major — Andantino con moto, B-flat major — Allegretto cantabile, C major 1873 — Festligt præludium over salmen "Lover den Herre". Organ 1874 49 Zion. Cantata. Baritone, choir and orchestra. Text by Carl Andersen 1874 53 Novelletter, F major, Strings 1875 2a Rebus, 3 piano pieces — Scherzo, B-flat major — Intermezzo, G major — Alla marcia, C major 1876 — Akvarel, A major, Piano 1877 — String quartet, E minor. 1878 — Capriccio, A minor. Violin and orchestra 1879 55 En Sommerdag paa Landet, Orchestral suite 1879 — Festmusik i anledning by Universitetets 400 Aars Jubilæum 1879 — Fiskerdrengen leger ved salten Vesterhav, Fiskerdrengen. Text by Chr. Richardt 1880 56 Violin concerto, D minor 1881 57 Nye Akvareller. Piano — Humoreske, A minor — Notturno, E major — Scherzo, D-flat major — Romanza, A major — Capriccio, F major 1882 60 Psyche. Cantata. Soli, choir and orchestra. Text by Carl Andersen 1883 — Festmusik til nordisk Kunstnermøde 1884 61 Holbergiana, Orchestral suite 1884 — Ulysses-March. Forspil til Holberg: Ulysses von Ithaca 1885 59 3rd violin sonata, B-flat major 1885 — Benedictus and Amen. Choir and organ 1886 58 Novelletter, E major, Strings 1886 62 Folkedanse, Violin and piano 1889 63 String quartet, D major 1889 64 Der Strom. Cantata. Soli, choir, piano and orchestra. Text after Goethes Mahomet 1889 — String quartet, E minor. Revision of the 1877 quartet Songs for which the year of composition is not known Agnete var elsket, uskyldig and god, Vise om Agnete and Havmanden. Text by H. C. Andersen Ak kæreste Hr. Gulds, Farvel lille Grete. Text by F. L. Høedt Alt oprejst Maanen staar, Fatimes bytensang. Text by Adam Oehlenschläger De Bølger rulle så tungt bysted, Liden Kirsten. Text by J. L. Heiberg De hvideste Perler i Havet er spredt, Den Elskede. Text by Carsten Hauch Der er saa travlt i Skoven. Text by Chr. Richardt Der var saa favrt under Lindens Løv. Text by ? Der var så sort i Kirken, Den 19. December 1863. Text by Chr. Richardt Der voksed et Træ i min Moders Gaard, Hemming spillemands sang. Text by H. C. Andersen En Songs henrykt til sit Hjerte trykker, Sommeren begynder. Text by ? Farvel mit elskte Moderhjem! Flygtningen. Text by Carsten Hauch Fluen flyver om Lysets Skin, Fluen. Text by Gerson Fra kvalmfulde Mure. Text by Adam Oehlenschläger Går det, Herre, som jeg vil. Salme. Text by N. F. S. Grundtvig Hvad toner gennem Skoven. Text by J. L. Heiberg Hvor Elven kækt gennem Kløften sprang, Fjeldbroen. Text by Carl Andersen Hytten er lukket, Natten er stille, Serenade ved Strandbredden. Text by Chr. Winther Højt ligger paa Marken den hvide Sne, Snedronningen. Text by H. C. Andersen I din Haand, du lille blinker, Til min egen Dreng. Text by Ludvig Bødtcher I Jesu Navn er Løftets Ord udsagt, Bryllupssang. Text by Johs. Petersen Jeg gik mig i den dunkle Skov, Jægerens Sommerliv. Text by Henrik Hertz Jeg lader Baaden glide frem, En Situation. Text by Chr. Winther Køb Herre, Frugter, liflig i Smag and Skær, Den lille Frugtsælgerske. Text by Gerson Lette Bølge! Når du blåner, Barcarole. Text by J. L. Heiberg Lærken synger sin Morgensang, Fiskerdrengens Vise. Text by H. C. Andersen Min lille Fugl, hvor flyver du. Romance. Text by H. C. Andersen Natten er saa stille, Barcarole. Text by J. L. Heiberg Naar det dufter sødt fra Blomsters Flor. Text by ? Paaske vi holde. Text by N. F. S. Grundtvig Rinda min Brud! Skalks Sang. Text by Adam Oehlenschläger Rosen sidder på tronen, Rosen. Text by Chr. Winther Rød Maanen skinner blandt Stjerner smaa, Havfruen. Text by B. S. Ingemann Sig Himlen hvælver saa ren and klar, Martsvioler. Text by H. C. Andersen Smaa Violer! O hvor sødt, Violerne. Text by Adam Oehlenschläger Som markens blomst henvisner fage. Salme. Text by N. F. S. Grundtvig Sov sødt i din Vugge, Vuggesang. Text by Niels W. Gade Spillemand spiller paa Strenge, Spillemanden. Text by B. S. Ingemann Stæren sad paa Kviste, Naar Solen skinner. Text by Barner Tre Rejsende drand fra Herberget ud, Den Eenlige. Text by B. S. Ingemann Ved Bækken jeg sidder, Pigens Sang ved Bækken. Text by B. S. Ingemann Vi grave dybt i sorten Muld, Bjergmandssang. Text by Chr. Winther Vi vandre sammen Arm i Arm, Skovsang. Text by Emil? Da droben auf jenem Berge, Schäfers Klagelied. Text by Goethe Der treue Walther ritt vorbei, Vom treuen Walther. Text by Uhland Fahr' mich hinüber junger Schiffer, Der Gondolier. Text by W. Wagner Ich bin ein leichter Junggesell, Der Junggesell. Text by Pfizer Lebet wohl, geliebte Bäume. Text by Goethe Mein Schatz ist auf die Wanderschbyt hin, Volkslied Von dem Felsen stürzt' ein Stein, Das Liebes-Denkmal. Text by ? Organ works for which the year of composition is not known By Højheden oprunden er. Organ Aleneste Gud i Himmerig. Organ Andante con moto, D minor. Organ Andante, C major. Organ Andante, G minor. Organ Fra Himlen højt kom Budskab her (i). Organ Fra Himlen højt kom Budskab her (ii). Organ Hvo ikkun lader Herren raade (i). Organ Hvo ikkun lader Herren raade (ii). Organ Organstykke, C minor Sørgemarch. Organ Tonestykke, D minor. Organ Trio, C major. Organ Trio, F major. Organ Vor Gud han er saa fast en Borg. Choral & variations. Organ Notes
- ^ See Anna Celenza's The Early Works of Niels W. Gade, especially Part Three, for more about the sources of Gade's programs and their connection to Danish nationalism.
See also
- Celenza, Anna Harwell. The Early Works of Niels W. Gade: In Search of the Poetic. Aldershot: Ashgate, 2001.
- Lee, Justin. Niels Gade Programme notes
- Wasserloos, Yvonne: Kulturgezeiten. Niels W. Gade und C.F.E. Horneman in Leipzig und Kopenhagen. Hildesheim, Zürich und New York 2004.
- Wasserloos, Yvonne: „Formel hält uns nicht gebunden, unsre Kunst heißt Poesie“. Niels W. Gade und Robert Schumann – Übergänge zwischen Poetischem und Nationalem, in: Henriette Herwig/Volker Kalisch/Bernd Kortländer/Joseph A. Kruse/Bernd Witte (Hg.): Übergänge. Zwischen Künsten und Kulturen. Internationaler Kongress zum 150. Todesjahr von Heinrich Heine und Robert Schumann. Stuttgart u. Weimar 2007, S. 521-540.
- Wasserloos, Yvonne: “Hearing through eyes, seeing through ears.“ Nation and landscapes in the works of Niels W. Gade, Edvard Grieg and Carl Nielsen, in: Studia Musicologica Norvegica 33 (2007), S. 42-52. http://www.griegsociety.org/filer/1139.pdf
External links
- Free scores by Niels Wilhelm Gade in the Werner Icking Music Archive (WIMA)
- Free scores by Niels Gade at the International Music Score Library Project
- Free scores by Niels Gade in the Choral Public Domain Library (ChoralWiki)
- Niels Gade: Novelletten for Piano Trio, Op.29 sound-bites
- Octet in F major, op. 17 (parts) From Sibley Music Library Digital Scores Collection
- 3 Tonstuecke for Organ, op. 22 From Sibley Music Library Digital Scores Collection
Categories:- 1817 births
- 1890 deaths
- Composers for pipe organ
- Danish classical violinists
- Danish classical organists
- Danish composers
- People from Copenhagen
- Romantic composers
- Honorary Members of the Royal Philharmonic Society
- Academics of the Royal Danish Academy of Music
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