Niels Gade

Niels Wilhelm Gade, b. 1817 in Copenhagen, d. 1890 in Copenhagen. After early instrumental and composition studies, he travelled to Leipzig on a royal scholarship. Friendships with F. Mendelssohn Bartholdy and R. Schumann, who encouraged him and strongly influenced his compositional style. He was conductor of the Gewandhaus concerts for several years, and from 1848 a significant conductor in Copenhagen who considerably influenced the musical life of the city.