Margrethe Munthe
Encyclopedia
Margrethe Aabel Munthe was a Norwegian teacher, children's writer, songwriter and playwright.
as the daughter of physician Christopher Pavels Munthe (1816–1884) and Christine Margrethe Pavels Aabel (1827–1887). She was a younger sister of historian and military officer Hartvig Andreas Munthe
, painter Gerhard Munthe
and older sister of officer Carl Oscar Munthe
. She was also a niece of historian and cartographer Gerhard Munthe and an aunt of genealogist Christopher Morgenstierne Munthe
, librarian Wilhelm Munthe
and painter Lagertha Munthe
. Through her mother she was a first cousin of Hauk Aabel
, niece of Andreas Leigh Aabel
and Oluf Andreas Aabel
.
's school for girls in Christiania
(Nissens Pigeskole), and graduated with a middle school exam () in 1879. She worked as a governess
at her home place for one year, and was then running a private school in Langesund
. She passed a higher degree for female teachers in 1883. She was appointed as a teacher at the Vaterland
primary school in Kristiania
from 1888 to 1893, and again from 1895. From 1902 to 1920 she worked at the Bolteløkka
primary school.
She wrote a large number of song texts to folk melodies and psalm melodies, many of which are still popular today. Among her classical songs are "Hurra for deg som fyller ditt år!", "På låven sitter nissen" (The nisse in the barn has got his Christmas treat), "Å jeg vet en seter", "Da klokken klang", "Nei, nei gutt", "Tulla" and "Jeg snører min sekk". She published the songbooks Kom, skal vi synge (three collections, from 1905 to 1918). She wrote the fairytale comedy Aase Fiskerjente, published as a book in 1912 with illustrations by Andreas Bloch
. Among her other comedies for children are Askepot, Den nysgjerrige kone and Prinsessen og det halve rike.
, accompanied by Sigurd Jansen
's orchestra, included several songs by Munthe on her album series Sanger fra dengang mor var liten (1967, 1976 and 1981), with songs such as "Å jeg strever så med mine små du" and "Kjære Gud, jeg har det godt". Åse Thoresen and Ingebrigt Davik
issued two albums with her songs, Kom skal vi synge from 1972, and Kjære kom og dans med meg from 1974. During the 1960s and 1970s Munthe's children's songs were heavily criticized for being too moralizing, but from the 1990s they were again accepted, as relics from a strange and ancient world.
Personal life
Margrethe Munthe was born in ElverumElverum
is a town and municipality in Hedmark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Østerdalen. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Elverum...
as the daughter of physician Christopher Pavels Munthe (1816–1884) and Christine Margrethe Pavels Aabel (1827–1887). She was a younger sister of historian and military officer Hartvig Andreas Munthe
Hartvig Andreas Munthe
Hartvig Andreas Munthe was a Norwegian military officer, engineer and genealogist.-Personal life:He was born in Elverum as a son of physician Christopher Pavels Munthe . He was an older brother of painter Gerhard Munthe, writer Margrethe Munthe and historian and military officer Carl Oscar Munthe...
, painter Gerhard Munthe
Gerhard Munthe (painter)
Gerhard Peter Frantz Munthe was a Norwegian painter and illustrator.-Background:Munthe was born in Elverum to physician Christopher Pavels Munthe and his wife Christine Margrethe Pavels Aabel . He was a brother of historian Hartvig Andreas Munthe, writer Margrethe Munthe and military officer...
and older sister of officer Carl Oscar Munthe
Carl Oscar Munthe
-Personal life:He was born in Elverum as a son of physician Christopher Pavels Munthe . He was a younger brother of historian and military officer Hartvig Andreas Munthe, painter Gerhard Munthe and writer Margrethe Munthe...
. She was also a niece of historian and cartographer Gerhard Munthe and an aunt of genealogist Christopher Morgenstierne Munthe
Christopher Morgenstierne Munthe
Christopher Morgenstierne Munthe was a Norwegian genealogist.He was a son of Colonel and historian Hartvig Andreas Munthe...
, librarian Wilhelm Munthe
Wilhelm Munthe
Abraham Wilhelm Støren Munthe was a Norwegian librarian. He worked at the University Library of Oslo from 1903 to 1953.-Personal life:...
and painter Lagertha Munthe
Lagertha Munthe
Lagertha Munthe was a Norwegian painter.She was born in Kristiania as a daughter of Olaf Andreas Jens Wilhelm Munthe...
. Through her mother she was a first cousin of Hauk Aabel
Hauk Aabel
Hauk Erlendssøn Aabel was a popular Norwegian comedian and actor in Norwegian and Swedish silent film.-Career:...
, niece of Andreas Leigh Aabel
Andreas Leigh Aabel
Morten Andreas Leigh Aabel was a Norwegian physician and poet.He was born in Sogndal as the son of priest Peter Pavels Aabel. He was a brother of Oluf Andreas Aabel. He enrolled as a student in 1848, graduated with the cand.med. degree in 1856. Whilwe studying he was a member of the Literary...
and Oluf Andreas Aabel
Oluf Andreas Aabel
Oluf Andreas Aabel was a Norwegian priest and writer.He was born in Sogndal as the son of priest Peter Pavels Aabel. He was a brother of Morten Andreas Leigh Aabel, and an uncle of Hauk Aabel....
.
Career
Munthe attended Hartvig NissenHartvig Nissen
Hartvig Nissen was a Norwegian philologist and educator. He founded Nissens Pigeskole, a school specifically for girls, in Oslo in 1849. In 1955 the school was also opened for boys and in 1963 the name changed to Hartvig Nissens Skole....
's school for girls in Christiania
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
(Nissens Pigeskole), and graduated with a middle school exam () in 1879. She worked as a governess
Governess
A governess is a girl or woman employed to teach and train children in a private household. In contrast to a nanny or a babysitter, she concentrates on teaching children, not on meeting their physical needs...
at her home place for one year, and was then running a private school in Langesund
Langesund
is the administrative centre of the municipality of Bamble, Norway.The town of Langesund was established as a municipality January 1, 1838...
. She passed a higher degree for female teachers in 1883. She was appointed as a teacher at the Vaterland
Vaterland, Norway
Vaterland is a neighborhood in Oslo, Norway. It is located north of the tracks at Oslo Central Station, between Jernbanetorget, Storgata and Akerselva river. The area features Oslo Central Station and Oslo Bus Terminal, the shopping centers Oslo City and Byporten, Galleri Oslo, Radisson Blu Plaza...
primary school in Kristiania
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
from 1888 to 1893, and again from 1895. From 1902 to 1920 she worked at the Bolteløkka
Bolteløkka
Bolteløkka is a neighbourhood in the borough St. Hanshaugen in Oslo, Norway. The neighbourhood is named after proprietor David Bolt. The Bolteløkka primary school was finished in 1898.-References:...
primary school.
She wrote a large number of song texts to folk melodies and psalm melodies, many of which are still popular today. Among her classical songs are "Hurra for deg som fyller ditt år!", "På låven sitter nissen" (The nisse in the barn has got his Christmas treat), "Å jeg vet en seter", "Da klokken klang", "Nei, nei gutt", "Tulla" and "Jeg snører min sekk". She published the songbooks Kom, skal vi synge (three collections, from 1905 to 1918). She wrote the fairytale comedy Aase Fiskerjente, published as a book in 1912 with illustrations by Andreas Bloch
Andreas Bloch
Andreas Bloch was a Norwegian painter, illustrator and costume designer.-Personal life:Andreas Schroeter Schelver Bloch was born on the Hellerud farm in in Skedsmo, in Akershus county, Norway, as the son of Jens Peter Blankenborg Bloch and Anne Julie Margrethe Schroeter. He was married in 1890...
. Among her other comedies for children are Askepot, Den nysgjerrige kone and Prinsessen og det halve rike.
Legacy
Singer Wenche MyhreWenche Myhre
Wenche Synnøve Myhre , in some countries known as Wencke Myhre, is a Norwegian singer and actress who has had a great number of hit songs since the 1960s in the Norwegian, German as well as the Swedish markets and languages.She got her first recording contract with composer and producer Arne...
, accompanied by Sigurd Jansen
Sigurd Jansen
Sigurd Jansen is a Norwegian composer, pianist and conductor. -Biography:Sigurd Alf Jansen was born in Horten, in Vestfold county, Norway. He studied classical music at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo. He was a teacher of piano from 1957 to 1962...
's orchestra, included several songs by Munthe on her album series Sanger fra dengang mor var liten (1967, 1976 and 1981), with songs such as "Å jeg strever så med mine små du" and "Kjære Gud, jeg har det godt". Åse Thoresen and Ingebrigt Davik
Ingebrigt Davik
Ingebrigt Davik was a Norwegian teacher, children's writer, broadcasting personality, singer and songwriter. He worked for the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation from 1959, and made children's programs both for radio and television. Among his children's books is Det hende i Taremareby from 1960,...
issued two albums with her songs, Kom skal vi synge from 1972, and Kjære kom og dans med meg from 1974. During the 1960s and 1970s Munthe's children's songs were heavily criticized for being too moralizing, but from the 1990s they were again accepted, as relics from a strange and ancient world.