The Swedish violinist and composer began her musical career in Stockholm and in 1872 was the first woman to be given the title of Director of Music.

In Leipzig, where she continued her studies she became acquainted with important musical personalities like Brahms, Joachim, Grieg and Clara Schumann, who greatly admired her. In Leipzig in 1873 she composed her violin sonata in B minor, which was awarded a prize by the Stockholm Academy. She performed it in several concerts with her pianist and future husband, Julius Röntgen. After getting married she stopped performing publicly as a violinist and devoted herself to composing, as well as to her family. She died aged 41.

– Katharina Wimmer
English translation: Deirdre Campbell-Shaw