Thomas Jensen

Danish conductor and cellist, born in Copenhagen 25 October 1898, died 13 November 1963 in Frederiksberg, Copenhagen. Educated as cellist at Det Kongelige Danske Musikkonservatorium where his harmony teacher was Carl Nielsen. Cellist with Tivolis Symfoniorkester and co-leader of the orchestra from 1936 to 1947 in alternance with Svend Christian Felumb. Relocated from Copenhagen to Aarhus in 1927 to work as orchestra leader at Det Kongelige Danske Musikkonservatorium. Co-founder of Aarhus By-Orkester in 1935 with musicians from the theatre. Chief conductor of the orchestra until 1957, where he returned to Copenhagen and became chief conductor of Danmarks Radios Symfoniorkester, a position he held until his death in 1963.

Thomas Jensen is remembered as one of the pioneers of the music of Carl Nielsen. As an orchestral cellist he took part in the first performances of Nielsen's 4th and 5th symphonies, and also sat in on many rehearsals of Nielsen. Nielsen's daughters held that Jensen was the conductor whose performances came closest to Nielsen's own.