Of the moderns, Wagner was his god; for Liszt he had an unbounded admiration, though he detected the showman, the mere juggler, in him; Tchaikovsky stirred him mightily; Brahms did not as a rule give him pleasure, though certain of that master's more fertile moments compelled his appreciation.

Grieg he delighted in.

To him he dedicated both his "Norse" and "Keltic" sonatas.

In response to his request for permission to inscribe the first of these to his eminent contemporary, he received from Grieg the following delectable letter--one of the Norwegian's very few attempts at English composition (I quote it verbatim; the spelling is Grieg's):-- COPENHAGEN, 26/10/99.
Hotel King of Denmark.
MY DEAR SIR! Will you remit me in bad English to express my best thanks for your kind letter and for the sympathi you feel for my music.

Of course it will be a great honor and pleasure for me to accept your dedication.
Some years ago I thought it possible to shake hands with you in your own country.