Agathe Bäcker Grøndahl
Norwegian
Born 1847, Died 1907
Agathe Bäcker was born in Norway in 1847. She studied piano with famed pianists Theodor Kullak, Hans van Bülow and Franz Liszt. She became lifelong friends with fellow countryman Edvard Grieg and his future wife Nina Hagerup at the Leipzig University in Germany.
In 1874 Agathe married the conductor and voice teacher Olaus Grøndahl. The couple had four children. Yet Agathe continued to be active as a composer and a performer throughout Europe. Famed music critic George Bernard Shaw declared Agathe “one of the century’s greatest piano artists.”
Her career was hindered by an illness in her 30’s that left her almost deaf. Tinnitus finally caused her to retire from performing. She continued to be a successful and influential piano teacher until her death at age 59.
Agathe wrote over 400 compositions, mostly piano pieces and art songs. Like Grieg, she utilized Norwegian folk melodies and the unique culture and traditions of life in Norway in many of her works.
In 1874 Agathe married the conductor and voice teacher Olaus Grøndahl. The couple had four children. Yet Agathe continued to be active as a composer and a performer throughout Europe. Famed music critic George Bernard Shaw declared Agathe “one of the century’s greatest piano artists.”
Her career was hindered by an illness in her 30’s that left her almost deaf. Tinnitus finally caused her to retire from performing. She continued to be a successful and influential piano teacher until her death at age 59.
Agathe wrote over 400 compositions, mostly piano pieces and art songs. Like Grieg, she utilized Norwegian folk melodies and the unique culture and traditions of life in Norway in many of her works.