Niels Wilhelm Gade
Gade, Niels Wilhelm (1817-1890). Danish composer. Learnt various instruments and gained a position of violinist in the orchestra of the royal Danish court. His talents as a composer were recognized when his Overture Ossian won first prize in a composition competition, and as a result he was awarded a grant to study music in Leipzig. There he came into contact with Mendelssohn, who heavily influenced his creative development. Returned to Copenhagen in 1848, working as organist, teacher and conductor, and became music director at the royal court there from 1861. His works spanned most contemporary genres.