Norwegian composer and choral conductor. He began studying theology in Kristiania, but dropped out to devote himself to singing. In music he was mainly self-taught, but later had lessons with Friedrich August Reißiger. As a Student, he founded a quartet of men during the 1840s, which enjoyed great popularity, and which formed the basis of a 12-member Male Choir. He succeeded Halfdan Kjerulf as conductor of the Norwegian student choir and remained in this position for 40 years. In 1847 he founded another Sangforening, which he also supervised for 40 years. In 1875, he founded the elite choir Johaniterne. He published a total of 41 choral books, which include more than 700 compositions for male choir. Part of these compositions comes from his own hand.
