https://norwegianamericanhistory.org/catalog/files/original/ad95d8e2c3bcd3ef1ce55ea22378f46e.pdf 25983a664b7d66c4a286d0120ce3969a PDF Text Text Collection Name: Theodora Cormontan papers, 1863-2013 Collection Number: P1726 Extent: 1 flat box Biography/History: Theodora Cormontan (June 9, 1840–October 26, 1922) was a Norwegian-American singer, pianist, church musician, composer, and music publisher, recognized as one of the first Norwegian women to have her classical compositions widely published and performed, and among the earliest women to establish a music publishing business in Norway. Born in Beitstad, Norway, to a Lutheran pastor, she grew up in Arendal, where she began her musical training before continuing her studies in Copenhagen. After an early career as a soprano and pianist, including a successful Norwegian concert tour in 1869. She returned to Arendal, where she composed extensively for piano and voice, performed widely, and founded a music lending library. From 1879 to 1886, she operated her own publishing house, notable for promoting the works of women composers and for distributing music throughout Scandinavia and beyond. Economic hardship following a bank failure and a devastating fire forced Cormontan to sell her business and emigrate to the United States in 1887. Settling in Minnesota, she continued her musical career as a pianist, organist, teacher, choir director, and composer, despite a serious train accident that ended her singing career. Active in Norwegian-American church life, she composed hymns and other works that remained popular despite ecclesiastical controversy, including her best-known hymn, “Høgt frå den himmelske klåra,” which endures in Norwegian hymnals today. After years of declining family fortunes, she spent her final years in a Norwegian Lutheran home in Decorah, Iowa. Following her death, her music largely disappeared from public view until the rediscovery of her manuscripts in 2011, leading to renewed performances, recordings, and recognition of her lasting contribution to Norwegian and Norwegian-American musical culture. Scope and Content: This collection contains several original pieces of sheet music as well as published material, photographs, biographic information, and a significant amount of digital material. Access Rights: This collection is open to research. Bibliographic Citation: [Indicate the cited item here]. Theodora Cormotan Papers. Norwegian American Historical Association, Northfield, Minnesota. Box Folder Description 1 1 Web content flash drive 1 2 Music CD 1 3 Music list and biographic information, 2013 1 4 Published sheet music (some in Norwegian, some in English) 1 5 Photographs, 1863-2011 Includes family, friends, homes, grave sites, Schmidts, and Cormontans. 1 6 Clippings and programs, undated 1 7 Sheet music, 1895-1906 Titles: Summer Day, Dance of the Flower Girls, Waltz Gracious, Spanish Dance, Ninetta Polkette, Danse de la Duchesse. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Finding aid to the Theodora Cormontan Papers Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Archival Collection Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Theodora Cormontan papers, 1863-2013 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context P1726 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1863-2013 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Cormontan, Theodora, 1840-1922 Description An account of the resource Biography/History: Theodora Cormontan (June 9, 1840–October 26, 1922) was a Norwegian-American singer, pianist, church musician, composer, and music publisher, recognized as one of the first Norwegian women to have her classical compositions widely published and performed, and among the earliest women to establish a music publishing business in Norway. Born in Beitstad, Norway, to a Lutheran pastor, she grew up in Arendal, where she began her musical training before continuing her studies in Copenhagen. After an early career as a soprano and pianist, including a successful Norwegian concert tour in 1869. She returned to Arendal, where she composed extensively for piano and voice, performed widely, and founded a music lending library. From 1879 to 1886, she operated her own publishing house, notable for promoting the works of women composers and for distributing music throughout Scandinavia and beyond. Economic hardship following a bank failure and a devastating fire forced Cormontan to sell her business and emigrate to the United States in 1887. Settling in Minnesota, she continued her musical career as a pianist, organist, teacher, choir director, and composer, despite a serious train accident that ended her singing career. Active in Norwegian-American church life, she composed hymns and other works that remained popular despite ecclesiastical controversy, including her best-known hymn, “Høgt frå den himmelske klåra,” which endures in Norwegian hymnals today. After years of declining family fortunes, she spent her final years in a Norwegian Lutheran home in Decorah, Iowa. Following her death, her music largely disappeared from public view until the rediscovery of her manuscripts in 2011, leading to renewed performances, recordings, and recognition of her lasting contribution to Norwegian and Norwegian-American musical culture. Scope and Content: This collection contains several original pieces of sheet music as well as published material, photographs, biographic information, and a significant amount of digital material. Location: 68/A/5 Extent The size or duration of the resource. 1 flat box Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Composers Musicians Access Rights Information about who can access the resource or an indication of its security status. Access Rights may include information regarding access or restrictions based on privacy, security, or other policies. This collection is open to research. Bibliographic Citation A bibliographic reference for the resource. Recommended practice is to include sufficient bibliographic detail to identify the resource as unambiguously as possible. [Indicate the cited item here]. Theodora Cormontan Papers. Norwegian American Historical Association, Northfield, Minnesota.