(1843 - 1907) was Norway's most important composer in the period of National Romanticism, and the most important internationally and in terms of recognition of all Norwegian composers. His influence on the history of Norwegian music has been tremendous. His central position is due, in part at least, to the climate of the times in which he lived. He is the jewel in the crown of the National Romantic movement, and his work represents the realisation of a dream which Norwegian musicians and cultural patriots had nurtured for a hundred years. The idea of an art and especially of a music which fully expressed the national character reached its fullest prominence in the latter half of the 19th century, during which time a considerable body of Norwegian folk music was collected and published.

Between 1858-62 Grieg studied at the music conservatory in Leipzig, and his earliest works clearly belong in the tradition of German Romanticism. But he gradually develops a more subtly chromatic harmonic language, combining it with rhythmic and melodic elements borrowed from Norwegian folk music. And from the 1870s onwards, Grieg's music also displays impressionistic features. Advanced harmonic features, especially in his last works, point forward to some of the most important stylistic break throughs that occurred in European music after the turn of the century.

Grieg participated actively in the musical life of Christiania (Oslo) and Bergen; and as a pianist, conductor and composer he undertook several highly successful concert tours of Europe. His works occupy a central place in Norwegian musical life - both public and private. Indeed for several generations, the name of Grieg has been synonymous with the concept of Norwegian music.