music
December 16, 2025
Tune in Today: Marriage Celebrated in Sound
In 1896, Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) composed a piece in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of his marriage to the former Nina Hagerup, a lyric soprano. The pair had wed in 1867, parenting a daughter who died in childhood. Though they had no more offspring, the couple enjoyed musical collaboration through the decades. Nina premiered many of her husband’s vocal works and is said to have inspired the composer’s best-known large-scale composition, the Piano Concerto in A minor.
TL;DR
- Edvard Grieg composed "Wedding Day at Troldhaugen" in 1896 to celebrate his 25th wedding anniversary.
- The piece honors his marriage to Nina Hagerup, a soprano who premiered many of his vocal works.
- "Troldhaugen" refers to the home Grieg shared with Nina in Bergen, Norway.
- The composition features outer sections of joy and a calm middle section, reflecting the multifaceted nature of marriage.
- Originally titled "The well-wishers are coming," Grieg later changed it to "Wedding Anniversary at Troldhaugen."
- The piece is part of Grieg's "Lyric Pieces" collection and is a popular choice for pianists and audiences.
Continue reading the original article