J P E Hartmann (1805-1900) is one of the most renowned figures within Danish musical history. In the course of his lifetime he corresponded with many writers and artists of the Golden Age, including Hans Christian Andersen, Oehlenschläger, Heiberg and August Bournonville. He also had relations with foreign composers such as Liszt, Mendelssohn, Heinrich Marschner, Louis Spohr and Grieg. His son, Emil Hartmann, who was also a composer, is represented by a large number of letters which elucidate both his struggle for professional recognition and the Copenhagen musical scene of that time.