Niels Wilhelm Gade

1817 – 1890

Niels Wilhelm Gade is the best known Danish composer, violinist, conductor, organist, pedagogue and music administrator. Gade was the most important representative of Danish music in the entire XIX century. Gade was a violinist of the Royal Danish Orchestra when his overture Efterklange af Ossian was first performed in Copenhagen in 1840. Felix Mendelssohn was an active promoter of Gade’s music and, in 1843, conducted Gade’s First Symphony in Leipzig. The reaction of the audience and critics was enthusiastic. Gade also enjoyed Robert Schumann’s friendship. In 1847, following Mendelssohn’s death, Gade was appointed the music director of Gewandhaus Orchestra in Leipzig. In 1849, Gade assumed post of director of the Copenhagen Musical Society, the position he kept until his death. Gade’s music was often based on the Danish folk material and is regarded the best example of the Danish Romantic nationalism.