Hartmann and Andersen were close friends, Hartmann composing music to Andersen’s words. He also had a close family and professional association with Gade — they co-directed the Copenhagen Conservatory and were the two lynchpins of Danish romanticist music. Grieg briefly studied with them, greatly esteeming Hartmann. Spohr (an important influence), Cherubini and Rossini were met on travels to Germany and France. Liszt travelled from Hamburg to Copenhagen with Hartmann, and later in Weimar conducted on of the two operas he had written with Andersen.