Edvard Grieg Norway and abroad. Several of his doctors became his personal friends. In 1861, Grieg made his debut as a concert pianist in Karlshamn, Sweden. In 1862, he finished his studies in Leipzig and held his first concert in his home town, where his programme included Beethoven's "Pathétique" sonata. In 1863, Grieg went to Copenhagen, Denmark, and stayed there for three years. He met the Danish composers J. P. E. Hartmann and Niels Gade. He also met his fellow Norwegian composer Rikard Nordraak (composer of the Norwegian national anthem), who became a good friend and source of inspiration. Nordraak died in
Ballade in the Form of Variations on a Norwegian Folk Song Ballade in the Form of Variations on a Norwegian Folk Song "Ballade in the Form of Variations on a Norwegian Folk Song" in G minor, Op. 24, is a large scale work for piano by Edvard Grieg. It is in the form of theme and variations, the theme being the Norwegian folk song "Mountain Song". A performance usually lasts around 20 minutes. The "Ballade" was one of the works played by Percy Grainger at his 1901 London debut at Steinway Hall. This was four years before he met Grieg, who was to become Grainger's greatest champion. The Norwegian composer Geirr