Born in Bergen. Grygas was taught to play the piano by his mother. in 1858 he met the legendary Norwegian violinist Ole Bull. Bull noticed the young man's talent and convinced his parents to send him to the Leipzig Conservatory. At the conservatory, Grygas mainly focused on the piano. He did not like the discipline of the conservatory, but he did well. in 1860 survived a severe lung disease. The following year he made his debut as a pianist in Sweden. in 1862 finished his studies in Leipzig and performed for the first time in Bergen.
in 1868 Ferenc List, who had never met Grygos before, helped him get support for his travels. The two met in Rome in the 1870s. Liszt was impressed by Grigo's first violin sonata, piano concerto (which Liszt read from the sheet right there).
in 1876 Grygas writes the music for the production of Henrik Ibsen's drama "Peras Giuntas". Many pieces from this cycle became popular as orchestral suites, arranged for piano.
