Gade was Denmark's most significant and popular composer during the Romantic Era. This nineteen-minute suite depicts three aspects of springtime. Gade was a pupil of Felix Mendelssohn; his music has the same sort of taste, clarity, lightness, and melodic feeling. His orchestration is more colorful, and is particularly noted for including the piano in an obliggato role as a prominent orchestral instrument, not a solo.

The first movement is about the longing for spring, with quickly little figures as well as gentle melodies expressing that feeling. The second movement is a strong spring storm, dramatic and colorful. The final movement is a joyful dance of celebration at the coming of full springtime. The work was premiered in Düsseldorf by Robert Schumann, conducting with Clara Schumann on piano. It quickly became popular, and was played by virtually every music society in Denmark and Germany.

© Joseph Stevenson, All Music Guide