"Harriet Backer. Every atom is colour" with music by Agathe Backer Grøndahl

This Kode audio tour juxtaposes the art of Harriet Backer with the music of her sister, the composer Agathe Backer Grøndahl. Music was important to Harriet Backer, and she believed that colours should resonate like chords. Placing the sisters’ works side by side magnifies the resonance of the paintings and the colours of the music.

Agathe Backer Grøndahl is one of the most distinguished composers in Norwegian musical history. She is especially remembered for her 400 or so piano pieces and songs, although she was also a pre-eminent pianist. Her music is noted for its expressive timbres, emotional depth, charm and artful melodies. Just like Harriet’s paintings, many of Agathe’s compositions can be described as impressionistic snapshots. She was a close friend of Nina and Edvard Grieg, who were both great admirers of her art. Kode is engaged in an ongoing process to highlight the life and art of Agathe Backer Grøndahl.

The music was recorded live at Troldhaugen with pianist Christian Grøvlen (director of music and composer homes at Kode).