Mankell Family History
Gustav Adolph Mankell (1812-1880)
The sixth child (third to survive childhood) of Johan and Johanna, Gustav Adolph (also spelled Gustaf) had a music career that paralleled his father and his oldest brother Carl Abraham.
Born on May 20, 1812, in Christiansfeld, Denmark, Gustav was a carpenter, a music teacher and organist in this Moravian community like his father. By 1831 another Moravian church (in Neuwied, Germany which lies northwest of Koblenz, on the Rhine River) wanted to exchange him for another person because the Neuwied community needed a music teacher, organist and music director. The elders determined that Gustav was too inexperienced for the job. Gustav remained in Christiansfeld a while longer. Again another congregation (in Gnadau, Germany, near Leipzig) requested him, but the church advised against this stating that while he did well with regard to music, he was not experienced in business. Gustav moved to Stockholm (see maps) and became one of Sweden’s greatest organists.
Gustav Mankell
Source: Svenskt Biografiskt Lexikon, p. 62.
Gustav was living and working in Stockholm by 1833. He returned to Christiansfeld and married Charlotte Warnke in July, 1839, only a few months after his mother Johanna died (April 1839) in Christiansfeld. The following is a summary of his professional positions.
- 1833: Piano teacher in Stockholm
- August 8, 1835: Organist exam at the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm
- August 1835: Organist at Jakobskyrka (St. James Church)
- 1836: Music teacher in St. James school
- 1837-1880: Organist at Hutterite Brethren congregation in Stockholm
- 1841: Became member of Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm
- 1853: Organ teacher at Royal Academy of Music.
- 1859: Promoted to Professor (of organ playing) at Music Academy
Like his father and brother, Gustav was also a composer and performer. As an organist Gustav performed concerts in Stockholm, primarily at Jakobskyrka (St. James Church) and in areas outside the city. He performed improvisations and “historical concerts” in Stockholm and arranged the works of other composers for the organ. He was an accomplished pianist and enjoyed chamber music, but rarely gave public performances on piano. His organ concerts were free to the public and large crowds came to St. Jakobskyrka to hear him play.
Gustav Mankell was organist at Jakobskyrka in Stockholm
Front Entrance to Jakobskyrka (St. James Church)
During his later years, Gustav (also Carl Abraham and Julius) was a friend of playwright August Strindberg.
Gustav talent as an organist was useful in another way. He helped inspect organs built in Sweden, 1850-1880. With Carl Abraham, Gustav organized the effort to purchase and supervised the installation of the large organ in the Christiansfeld congregation where both he and his father were organists. This 1865 Marcussen organ, built in Åbenrå, Denmark, remains the main instrument of the congregation today.
Gustav and Charlotta had one foster child, Anna Elisabet (1847-1899) who preceded both parents in death. Gustav died on March 23, 1880 in Stockholm; Charlotta died on October 26, 1883 in the same city.
Gustav's letters and music are located in the Library of the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm and at the City Library in Linköping.