Marvel A. Jensen

1937 -

Marvel Jensen, Internationally acclaimed organist, has impressed audiences around the world with her exhilarating and inspiring performances. Critics have universally acclaimed her flawless technique, profound musicianship, and virtuosity. As a concert artist, she has performed extensively in England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Denmark, Austria, and the United States. Jensen has given concerts at such notable venues as Notre Dame in Paris, the Mozarteum in Salzburg, and Santa Croce in Florence.

A critic for the Los Angeles Times described her as "an authoritative, exciting, polished and resourceful performer with formidable skill. " The Orange County Register described one of her concerts as a "stunning performance ... she was what else ... Marvelous!" Her playing in a concert in London elicited this observation from the London Press: "Brilliant, commanding performance ... flawless."

Jensen was the first to hold the prestigious position of Resident Organist with the Milwaukee Symphony. She also served for over ten years as Organist-Harpsichordist at the Los Angeles Music Center. She was a research scholar at Cambridge University, England, served as Director of Archive Studies at the University of Southern California School of Music, and was International Collections Curator and Advisor to the USC Vice-Provost at the Doheney University Library.

Jensen served for over a decade as Music Coordinator for Miklos Rozsa, famed Hungarian-born composer of major symphonic works and Oscar-winning film scores. On his behalf, she worked closely with the elite of the music world, including conductors Leonard Bernstein, Antal Dorati, and George Solti, as well as major orchestras in Europe and America. Because of her work with Paramount Studios and these persons and organizations, she was able to establish the Miklos Rozsa Archives.

Born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, Jensen is a fifth generation Nebraskan. She started her music study at age three, began playing as a Sabbath School pianist at age seven, and, at age 14, became organist at the historic Seventh-day Adventist College View Church, place of worship for Union College students, which her grandparents helped to build in 1893. She continued as its organist until she graduated from UC with a bachelor of science degree in Music Education.

A versatile musician, Jensen sang in both the UC Choir and the select choir, the Unionaires, under the leadership of J. Wesley Rhodes, and played clarinet in the orchestra and band under the direction of H. Lloyd Leno. She joined the Union College band while still in grade school and played in that ensemble throughout her academy and college years. Her parents, Alfred T. and Carolyn Jensen, provided tuition and inspiration for many students who attended UC and subsequently studied at Loma Linda School of Medicine, now Loma Linda University.

Jensen studied with legendary organists Marcel Dupre' and Jean Langlais in France where she earned the coveted Prix d'artiste award. She served as assistant to Langlais at Sainte Clotilde Basilica in Paris. During her time in France, she received honorable recognition for her work with rare manuscripts at the Musée du Louvre and l’Université de Paris-Sorbonne.

Jensen also studied organ with Catharine Crozier and harpsichord with Malcolm Hamilton. Additional study was taken under Armand Basile, and David Craighead at the Eastman School of Music. She earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Southern California.

In addition to her career as a concert artist, Jensen enjoys international recognition as a published author and teacher. She has served as an artist in residence at churches across the United States.

She is represented by Artists International and has released several recordings under the Canterbury label. Jensen is listed in Outstanding Young Women of America and is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, a national music honor society recognizing the highest level of musical achievement and academic scholarship.

 

mj/ds/2007

Sources: Information and copy provided by Marvel Jensen, May 2007.

 

Marvel Jensen

Discography

Great French Masterpieces

CÉSAR FRANCK

Chorale No. 3 in A Minor

JEAN LANGLAIS

Hymne d'Actions de Grace

Te Deum

Chant de Paix

LOUIS VIERNE

Symphony No. 3, Finale

JEAN LANGLAIS

Chant Héroïque

MAURICE DURUFLÉ

Prelude & Fugue

sur le nom d'Alain

CHAS-MARIE WIDOR

Toccata from Fifth Symphony

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Joh. Seb. Bach

Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565

Prelude in C Major, BWV 547

Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor, BWV 582

Prelude and Fugue in G Major, "Great," BWV 541

"Dorian" Toccata, and Fugue in D minor, BWV 538

Fantasia and Fugue in G minor, BWV 542

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J. S. Bach

Toccata and Fugue in D minor

Christ lag in Todesbanden

Alle Menschen mussen sterben

Adagio in A minor

Wer mur den lieben Gott lasst walten

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring

Come Thou Sweet Death

Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor

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Francis Poulenc

Concerto for Organ, Strings & Tympani in G minor

Marvel Jensen, Organ, Pacific Symphony Orchestra

Also

Concert champetre for Harpsichord and Orchestra

Malcolm Hamilton, Harpsichord, USC Symphony Orchestra

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Miklos Rozsa

Suite in Olden Style

Marvel Jensen, harpsichord, English Baroque Ensemble

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By Request

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In a Quiet Cathedral

SinfoniaChurch Cantata No. 156, J. S. BACH

Sonata for Musical Clock, JOSEPH HAYDN

Andante in E flat Major, W.A. MOZART

Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, J. S. BACH

Adagio – Sonata No. Six, GAETANO VALERI

Adagio for Musical Clock, W.A. MOZART

Air -Toccata in C Major, J. S. BACH

Melody in G Major, A. GUILMANT

Andante in E Major, W. A. MOZART

Largo from Xerxes, G. F. HANDEL