Fini Henriques was not only a well-loved violinist and popular composer, he was a cultural phenomenon. With unpretentious charm and great humanity he became the favourite musician of the Danes. He travelled the country far and wide and played Mozart, Beethoven and his own music even in the humblest venues. Fini Henriques studied the violin with Joseph Joachim and composition with Johan Svendsen. His works radiate humor and a wealth of ideas. The music flowed easily from his pen, and most of his compositions are small pieces for piano or violin, or songs. But he had unique success with orchestral music too - especially the ballet Den lille havfrue (The Little Mermaid) and the theatre music for Vølund Smed (Wayland the Smith).