Niels Gade

1817 (Copenhagen) – 1890 (Copenhagen)

Gade sent his first symphony (rejected in Denmark) to Mendelssohn, who enthusiastically premiered it, becoming Gade’s friend, mentor, close associate and strong musical influence: Gade inherited Mendelssohn’s position in Leipzig following his death. In Germany, the Schumanns also befriended him, Robert writing about his work. He lost an important post as organist to his colleague Hartmann, but married his daughter, who died in childbirth. Andersen visited regularly, and tried to get Gade to set one of his stories to music. Gade supported and encouraged the young Grieg; Nielsen was among his conservatory pupils.