Niels Vilhelm Gade

Niels Vilhelm Gade , 1817-90, Danish composer. He studied (1843-48) in Leipzig, where he met Mendelssohn and Schumann. His eight symphonies, his chamber music, and his cantatas are essentially romantic.

Gade, Niels (Vilhelm) (b Copenhagen, 1817; d Copenhagen, 1890). Danish composer, organist, and violinist. Joined royal orch. as violinist 1834. Royal stipend enabled him to travel to It. and Ger. Mendelssohn cond. Gade's 1st Sym., rejected by Copenhagen, at Leipzig 1843 with much success. This led to friendship when Gade went to Leipzig and became ass. cond. of Gewandhaus concerts 1844–6, cond. 1847–8. Returned to Copenhagen, and re-organized Mus. Soc., establishing permanent orch. and choir and cond. f. Danish p. of Bach's St Matthew Passion and his own syms. Nos. 4 to 8. Court Kapellmeister 1861, but resigned after a few months. Co-dir. of newly founded Copenhagen Acad. of Mus. 1866. Visited Eng. 1876 to conduct his cantata The Crusader at Birmingham Fest. His comps., influenced by Mendelssohn and Schumann, are of persuasive charm and skill. They incl. 8 syms.; ovs.; suites; vn. conc.; opera-ballet The Fairy Spell; str. qt.; pf. trio; str. quinter; str. octet; str. sextet; pf. pieces; cantatas; and songs.