Adolf Jensen

Adolf Jensen (12 January 1837 – 23 January 1879) was a German pianist, composer, and music teacher born in Königsberg into a family of musicians. Though largely self-taught, he received instruction from Louis Ehlert, Louis Köhler, and Friedrich Marpurg, director of the Königsberg Theater. In 1856, Jensen moved to Russia to teach, hoping to fund lessons with Robert Schumann, who had recently died. He became music director of the Posen municipal theatre in 1857. From 1858 to 1860, he lived in Copenhagen, befriending composer Niels Gade, before returning to Königsberg to compose extensively.

Jensen taught advanced piano at Carl Tausig's school in Berlin from 1866 until illness forced his retirement in 1868. He then moved to Dresden, Graz, and finally Baden-Baden, where he died of tuberculosis at 42. His brother Gustav Jensen was a violinist and composer. Adolf composed about 160 art songs, choral pieces, piano works including a Sonata in F sharp minor (Op. 25), 25 Études (Op. 32), Erotikon Op. 44, and music for four hands. His orchestral works include a Concert Overture in E minor and Geistliches Tonstück. He began an opera, Die Erbin von Montfort, but left it unfinished. After his death, Wilhelm Kienzl adapted his music to a new libretto by Jensen's daughter Elsbeth, who wrote under the pseudonym "Egbert Jensen."