Bergen School of Culture performs Backer Grøndahl
Concert in the Exhibition Harriet Backer: Every Atom is Color
Experience Agathe Backer Grøndahl’s most beautiful piano pieces, performed by talented students from Bergen School of Culture – surrounded by Harriet Backer’s masterful paintings.
Agathe Backer Grøndahl (1847–1907) is best known as a composer and pianist, but she also made a lasting impact as one of Norway’s foremost music educators. Many of her students went on to become leading pianists in Norwegian musical life. One of them, Nanne Storm, described her former teacher as follows:
"I believe that everyone whose main interest lies in music must count themselves lucky to have been trained under Mrs. Agathe Backer Grøndahl’s guidance. With her, one truly learned what it means to work seriously with music."
At this concert, piano students from Bergen School of Culture will perform two key works by Agathe Backer Grøndahl: Fantasy Pieces, Op. 36 and Op. 55.
The Fantasy Pieces are a cornerstone of Backer Grøndahl’s artistry, published in several collections between 1895 and 1905. These pieces are atmospheric and impressionistic tone paintings, characterized by a rich and ambiguous emotional expression.
Together, they represent a true highlight of Norwegian piano literature and serve as the perfect introduction to her work – for both curious listeners and aspiring young pianists.