Musical Contribution - November 2025

Festive Prelude (from 3 Tonstücke) - Niels Gade (1817–1890)

The Danish composer Niels Wilhelm Gade wrote his first major composition at the age of 23. It was awarded a first prize, along with a scholarship that allowed him to study in Germany and Italy. Soon after, he composed his First Symphony. Interestingly, this work was not well received in Copenhagen, even though Mendelssohn himself was enthusiastic about it.
Gade therefore settled in Leipzig, where he eventually became chief conductor of the Gewandhaus Orchestra. Around 1850, he returned to Denmark.

Gade was not only a violinist and conductor, but also an organist. However, he did not write very much for the organ. This month’s piece comes from “Drei Tonstücke,” Op. 22. It is a bright and festive work, offering plenty of freedom to choose the registration according to your own musical sense and taste.

Wishing you much joy in playing it!

With kind regards,
André