Ole Mørk Sandvik
Encyclopedia
Ole Mørk Sandvik was a Norwegian educator, musicologist and folk-song collector.
as a son of school inspector Paul Knutsen Barstad Sandvik
(1847–1936) and his wife Nikoline Petrine Mørk (1847–1927). His parents hailed from Ørsta
and Volda
. The family moved to Hamar
three years later, and Sandvik finished
his secondary education here in 1893. He combined studies and work as a teacher, and graduated with the cand.theol.
degree in 1902. In July 1906 he married pianist Nanna Rønneberg Munthe-Kaas (1880–1965).
and the MF Norwegian School of Theology
, from 1916. He remained at the university until 1947 and at MF until 1952. He took his doctorate in 1921 with the thesis Norsk folkemusik, særlig Østlandsmusikken. This was the first thesis on Norwegian folk music. The thesis was built on several travels in Norway, especially the Gudbrandsdal
region, where he collected this music. A polemic took place between Sandvik and colleague Catharinus Elling
. Elling held that folk music pieces had to be polished by professionals, whereas Sandvik argued that the music should be played in the tradition of the country folk.
Sandvik became vice president of the International Folk Music Council
at its inception in 1947. President at the time was Ralph Vaughan Williams
. In Norway Sandvik founded the Norwegian Folk Music Research Association
in 1948, and chaired the organization from 1948 to 1965. Sandvik also wrote books on church music and choral music. He was a member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters
from 1939.
He was decorated as a Knight, First Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav in 1949. In 1966 he was awarded honorary membership in the Norwegian National Association for Traditional Music and Dance
. He died in August 1976 in Oslo, having reached the age of 101.
Early life
He was born on the island HelgøyaHelgøya, Hedmark
Helgøya is an island in Mjøsa located to Ringsaker municipality in Hedmark county, Norway.With an area of 18.3 km², Helgøya is the largest freshwater island in Norway. The island is located south of the peninsula Nes, connected by bridge since 1957, and was formerly a part of Nes municipality.The...
as a son of school inspector Paul Knutsen Barstad Sandvik
Paul Knutsen Barstad Sandvik
Paul Knutsen Barstad Sandvik was a Norwegian educator.He was born in Ørsta as a son of Knut Barstad and his wife Ragnhild, née Brekke. His father died in 1849, and his mother remarried to Knut Sandvik in 1855...
(1847–1936) and his wife Nikoline Petrine Mørk (1847–1927). His parents hailed from Ørsta
Ørsta
is a village and municipality in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. It is part of the Sunnmøre region of Western Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Ørsta...
and Volda
Volda
Volda is a municipality in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway. It is part of the Sunnmøre region. The administrative centre is the village of Volda. The municipality is located about south of the city of Ålesund.-General information:...
. The family moved to Hamar
Hamar
is a town and municipality in Hedmark county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Hedmarken. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Hamar. The municipality of Hamar was separated from Vang as a town and municipality of its own in 1849...
three years later, and Sandvik finished
Examen artium
Examen artium was the name of the academic certification conferred in Denmark and Norway, qualifying the student for admission to university studies. Examen artium was originally introduced as the entrance exam of the University of Copenhagen in 1630...
his secondary education here in 1893. He combined studies and work as a teacher, and graduated with the cand.theol.
Cand.theol.
Candidatus theologiæ , Candidata theologiæ , abbreviated cand. theol. is an academic degree with a long tradition, awarded after a six year higher education in theology in Denmark and Norway. In Norway, the title has remained after the "Quality Reform", though it is equivalent to a Master of...
degree in 1902. In July 1906 he married pianist Nanna Rønneberg Munthe-Kaas (1880–1965).
Career
He spent most of his career at the two schools Vestheim, from 1898 to 1913, and Hegdehaugen, from 1913 to 1945. He also worked part time as a singing teacher at the University of OsloUniversity of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
and the MF Norwegian School of Theology
MF Norwegian School of Theology
The Norwegian School of Theology , is a private, independent, accredited Norwegian specialised university...
, from 1916. He remained at the university until 1947 and at MF until 1952. He took his doctorate in 1921 with the thesis Norsk folkemusik, særlig Østlandsmusikken. This was the first thesis on Norwegian folk music. The thesis was built on several travels in Norway, especially the Gudbrandsdal
Gudbrandsdal
The Gudbrandsdalen is a valley and traditional district in the Norwegian county of Oppland. The valley is oriented in a north-westerly direction from Lillehammer at Mjøsa, extending 230 km toward Romsdal...
region, where he collected this music. A polemic took place between Sandvik and colleague Catharinus Elling
Catharinus Elling
Catharinus Elling was a Norwegian music teacher, organist, folk music collector and composer....
. Elling held that folk music pieces had to be polished by professionals, whereas Sandvik argued that the music should be played in the tradition of the country folk.
Sandvik became vice president of the International Folk Music Council
International Council for Traditional Music
The International Council for Traditional Music is a UNESCO-recognized NGO, an academic organization focused on musicology and dance research. Founded in London on September 22, 1947, it publishes the Yearbook for Traditional Music once a year, and a twice-yearly bulletin. Since 2005, its...
at its inception in 1947. President at the time was Ralph Vaughan Williams
Ralph Vaughan Williams
Ralph Vaughan Williams OM was an English composer of symphonies, chamber music, opera, choral music, and film scores. He was also a collector of English folk music and song: this activity both influenced his editorial approach to the English Hymnal, beginning in 1904, in which he included many...
. In Norway Sandvik founded the Norwegian Folk Music Research Association
Norwegian Folk Music Research Association
Norwegian Folk Music Research Association is a folk music society based in Trondheim, Norway.It was founded in 1948. The first president was Ole Mørk Sandvik, who sat until 1965. It organizes annual seminars and publishes the yearbook Norsk Folkemusikklags Skrifter...
in 1948, and chaired the organization from 1948 to 1965. Sandvik also wrote books on church music and choral music. He was a member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters
Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters
The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters is a learned society based in Oslo, Norway.-History:The University of Oslo was established in 1811. The idea of a learned society in Christiania surfaced for the first time in 1841. The city of Throndhjem had no university, but had a learned...
from 1939.
He was decorated as a Knight, First Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav in 1949. In 1966 he was awarded honorary membership in the Norwegian National Association for Traditional Music and Dance
Norwegian National Association for Traditional Music and Dance
Norwegian National Association for Traditional Music and Dance is a nationwide organization that aims to support the folk music and rural dance tradition in Norway....
. He died in August 1976 in Oslo, having reached the age of 101.