Benna Moe facts for kids

Benna Olufine Charlotte Moe (born December 15, 1897, died December 27, 1983) was a talented Danish composer and musician. She played the organ and piano, and she was also a singer. Benna Moe wrote many different kinds of music. This included pieces for orchestras, smaller groups of instruments, and organ music.

One of her most famous works is the ballet Hybris, which was first performed in Copenhagen in 1930. Some of her music, like Hymn of Praise, Shepherds’ Flutes, and Cantilena, was even played at royal weddings!

Early Life and Musical Start

Benna Moe went to the Moltke Citizen School for girls. Here, her amazing musical talent really started to shine. She often played music at school parties and family get-togethers. Benna began composing her own music when she was just 12 years old.

As she grew older, she started writing bigger pieces. For example, she wrote an overture for a celebration in 1913. She stayed connected with her old school for many years. Benna even played the organ at her school principal's funeral in 1928.

She played music at many charity events, helping others. She also wrote music for special events for the Danish and Swedish royal families. This included a tribute march for King Gustav V of Sweden. She also wrote a wedding waltz for Princess Margrethe of Denmark.

Benna grew up in a supportive family. Her older brothers encouraged her musical gifts. One brother, Olaf Edward M., was a bookseller and publisher. He helped get some of her early music printed. He also helped her connect with an American publisher, Arthur P. Schmidt. This publisher released some of her works, like the Alpine Suite for Organ in 1929.

A Long and Busy Career

Benna Moe had a long career as an organist, pianist, singer, and composer. She was known for creating beautiful melodies and for being great at improvising music on the spot. She also had a lovely mezzo-soprano singing voice.

Her formal music training was not very long. She had piano lessons as a child. Later, she took private organ lessons for about 18 months. In 1915, she took a special organ exam at the Music Academy. She passed with honors, and the examiners praised her skills.

By 1930, Benna was very active as a composer and musician. During this time, she wrote over 200 songs! Her music included marches, tangos, and foxtrots. Her romantic songs were very melodic. They ranged from simple and personal to grand and complex.

In 1933, she performed on Danish radio for the first time, singing her own songs. She appeared on several radio shows after that. Her only string quartet was composed in 1934. It was performed in Vienna by an Austrian women's string quartet.

In 1937, she performed at Holberg Haven in Copenhagen. A reviewer wrote that she directed her own compositions with "fine Music Sans and lady-like attitude." She continued to conduct many of her own pieces. In 1950, she led a military band in Stockholm that played her Orphée Marche.

Benna Moe had a strong connection with Sweden. In the 1930s, her music was played on Swedish radio and at concerts. In 1937, she had a very popular program on Swedish radio with a cellist. She also sang at a concert in Ystad in 1938. People praised her "well-trained mezzo-soprano" voice and "lively performance." She made many friends in Sweden, including other artists. From 1941 to 1948, she lived in Sweden. She gave many concerts there, including a tour in 1944 where she performed for 22 days in a row! She eventually settled in the town of Mora as a composer and music teacher.

Personal Life

Benna Moe never married. She lived most of her adult life with her friend, Karla Aagaard, who was a language teacher. Karla supported Benna during her travels.

Benna Moe's music is not often performed today. However, some recordings of her work exist. There are also amateur tape recordings from the 1950s and 1960s of her singing. Her last major performance was in Sweden when she was 84 years old.

Works

Benna Moe wrote many different types of music. Here are some examples:

Instrumental music:

• Instructive Studies for piano (Op. 3, Op. 6, Op. 9)
• Serenade du Gondolier for piano (Op. 11)
• Alpine Suite for organ (Op. 12, 1929)
• Polonaise de Fête for piano (1928)
• Concert Suite for organ (1971)
• Cantilena for organ (1972)
• Preludes for organ (1977)
• Legend for organ (1980)
• Many fox-trots, tangos, waltzes, and marches for piano

Chamber music: (music for small groups of instruments)

• Berceuse for violin and piano (1914)
• Danse Espagnole for violin and piano (1928)
• String Quartet (1934)

Other music:

• Music for the ballet Hybris (1930)
• Over 200 romantic songs
• A tribute march for King Gustav V of Sweden
• A wedding waltz for Princess Margrethe of Denmark
• A cantata for Odd Fellows in Mora
• A passion play