Mogens Wöldike

Mogens Wöldike ( born July 5, 1897 in Copenhagen, † 20 October 1988 ) was a Danish conductor, choirmaster and founder and organist, who was known for his baroque and classical interpretations beyond Scandinavia.

Life and work

Mogens Wöldike already made ​​1916 his organist exam at the Royal Danish Academy of Music and in 1919 organist at the Reformert Kirke in Copenhagen. He was a student of Carl Nielsen and Thomas Linnemann Laub and studied until his graduation in 1920 from the University of Copenhagen in music history.

Since the 1920s Wöldike played a significant role in the musical life of Denmark as a musicologist and musician. In 1921 he became cantor at the Copenhagen Holmen Kirke and took over from leaves 1924 as organist. In the same year he founded the first boys' choir of Denmark, who in 1929 integrated into the urban St. Annæ high school and developed the official school of singing Denmark. As Royal Kantorei Københavns Drengekor she resided since 1959 at the Copenhagen Cathedral. 1931 Wöldike organist at the Christian Church of Borger Castle ( Christiansborg Slot Kirke ), from 1959 to 1972, he held this position at the Copenhagen Cathedral.

1932 founded Wöldike the Danish Radio Choir Copenhagen, from 1943 to 1945 he was conductor of the Orchestra of Radio Sweden and from 1950 to 1976 conductor of the Danish National Symphony Orchestra. After the Second World War, he gained international reputation through regular guest appearances and tours in Europe and the United States.

He has published, among many other recordings Masterpieces of Music before 1750 and all cantatas by Buxtehude. Some of his recordings, which spread his fame around the world, are at least in part, to this day available: Bach's St. Matthew Passion, Handel's Saul and Messiah, some of Haydn 's symphonies and his Missa in tempore belli, as well as compositions by his teacher Carl Nielsen.

Awards and honors

• Knight of the Swedish Wasaordens and the Danish Dannebrog
• Léonie Sonning Music Prize (1976 )