Hägg, Jakob Adolf

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Hägg, Jakob Adolf

Hägg, Jakob Adolf, Swedish composer; b. Oestergarn, June 27, 1850; d. Hudiksvall, March 1, 1928. He was a remote relative of Gustaf Wilhelm Hägg (Peterson) . He studied at the Stockholm Cons., then received a stipend to take courses in Denmark with Gade, who exercised a decisive influence on his style of composition. He further studied piano with Anton Door in Vienna and music theory with Kiel in Berlin. Ambition to learn and relentless diligence in his studies upset his mental equilibrium so that he had to spend 15 years in a sanatorium (1880–95). He recovered but retired to the country, reducing his activity to a minimum. Despite this misadventure he was able to leave a considerable legacy of works, among them 5 syms., of which Nordische Symphonie (1870; rev. 1890) was the best known, 3 overtures, Cello Sonata, Piano Trio, String Quartet, and other chamber music, piano pieces, and songs.

Bibliography

G. Hetsch, J. A. H. (Leipzig, 1903).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire