Dr.

Jens Korndrfer
www.jenskorndoerfer.com

RESUME
In the past decade, German-born concert organist Dr. Jens Korndrfer has given more than
200 concerts at major venues around the world, including Westminster Abbey in London,
Notre Dame Cathedral and St. Sulpice in Paris, Chapel Royal in Versailles, Moscow Cathedral,
Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedchtniskirche in Berlin, the Mnster in Ulm, St. Thomas Church Fifth
Avenue in New York, Cathedral-Basilica in St. Louis, St. James Cathedral in Toronto, Suntory
Hall and Metropolitan Art Space in Tokyo, Kyoto Concert Hall, Cultural Centre in Hong
Kong, et.al.
Critics and organists have called him a "prodigious technician" (La Presse, Montreal), and have
praised his "effortless, poetic," "colourful and exciting playing" (Prof. Landale and ORGAN
Canada), whose concerts are a stunning display of absolute genius, virtuosity, control and
creativity (ORGANIX Festival).
Dr. Korndrfer has spent the last thirteen years in France, Japan, the United States and Canada.
His multinational experience has enabled him to become intimately familiar with a wide range
of different cultures, instruments and musical styles, allowing him to be equally at home in the
interpretation of music by composers as different as Bach and Messiaen, Couperin and Reger,
Franck and Ives. Additionally, he enjoys including transcriptions of orchestral, instrumental,
and even film music (Lord of the Rings) in his programs, in order to bring new listeners to the
pipe organ.
He graduated with top-honors from the Conservatoire National Suprieur de Musique in Paris
(Diploma in Organ-Interpretation, class of O. Latry and M. Bouvard; Harpsichord with
Francoise Marmin), the Oberlin Conservatory (Artist Diploma, J.D.Christie), the
Musikhochschule in Bayreuth (Church Music Diploma, Organ with H. Leuschner, Harpsichord
with Oscar Milani, Piano with M. Wessel) and McGill University in Montreal (Doctor of
Music, H.O. Ericsson, J. Grew and W. Porter).
In September 2005, he became the first German appointed organist in residence at the Concert
Hall Kitara in Sapporo, Japan. During one year, he gave approximately 50 recitals in Sapporo
and major venues throughout Japan and was in frequent demand as a teacher (organ studio,
master classes, etc.). During his tenure there, he also recorded a solo-CD with works by Bach,
Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Reger, Liszt, Brahms and Wagner as well as a DVD presenting
Kitaras organ, and concertized with orchestras (Sapporo Symphony Orchestra and the
Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini under Lorin Maazel).
Dr. Korndrfer is a triple prizewinner of the Canadian International Organ Competition, held
in Montral in 2008 and 2011. His talent has also been recognised with numerous scholarship
awards from organizations such as the German Academic Exchange Service, the BACH-woche
Ansbach, the Festival du Comminges, the Oberlin Conservatory (Deans Scholarship), McGillUniversity (Max Stern Fellowship) and the Government of Quebec (Quebec Merit
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Dr. Jens Korndrfer

www.jenskorndoerfer.com

Scholarship).
Aside from his busy concert schedule on three continents, Dr. Korndrfer has taught in various
settings (organ studio at Agnes Scott College and the School of Fine Arts of FPC, both in
Atlanta; master classes in Japan, France and Germany; teaching assistant of Prof. Christie at
the Oberlin Conservatory) and shared his knowledge and experience in presentations at
conferences in Germany, the USA (AGO National Convention 2012), and Asia (Hong Kong
Cultural Centre). Furthermore, he has published several articles in American, Belgian, British,
French, German, Russian and Swiss music journals.
In 2009, he recorded "Trumpet Ave Maria" together with Kazuhiro Maekawa (solo-trumpet of
the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra) at the Harmony Hall in Fukui (Japan). Two years later, his
second solo CD "Variations on America" was released by the ORGAN-label.
Currently, Dr. Korndrfer serves as organist and organ teacher at First Presbyterian Church,
and as instructor for organ at Agnes Scott College, both in Atlanta, GA.
Dr. Korndrfer is represented by Karen McFarlane Artists, Inc., in North America.
Dr. Jens Korndrfer
May 2015

Dr. Jens Korndrfer

www.jenskorndoerfer.com

TESTIMONIALS & PRESS NOTICES

TESTIMONIALS
CONCERT ORGANIZERS
"His concert at the ORGANIX Festival was a stunning display of absolute genius, virtuosity,
control and creativity... all in one package! A great concert for sure."
Gordon Mansell (Director, ORGANIX Festival, 04/2015)
"Ce fut un grand plaisir et un grand honneur de vous recevoir Vancouver! Vous avez donn un
rcital absolument remarquable, et plusieurs personnes m'ont fait remarquer quel point votre
jeu est expressif et musical. Votre faon de jouer les transcriptions est trs impressionnante,
l'orgue sonnait de faon aussi colore et aussi varie que la version originale d'orchestre!
Bravo!"
Denis Bdard (Organist & Director of Music, Holy Rosary Cathedral, Vancouver, Canada;
11/2012)
"A superb concert, played with great poise, musical sensibility, and warmth."
Michael Capon (Host, St. George's Cathedral, Kingston, 04/2015)
"I'm still basking in the 'afterglow' of your splendid recital. I heard a recital last Friday evening
that began with the same two Bach pieces: Piece d'orgue and Schmuecke dich,
but disappointingly played (on a new instrument that had nothing wrong with it). You played
these pieces and the others so very well! Again, many, many, MANY thanks for your recital. It
was the highlight of the year."
Lois Regestein (Artistic Director & Presenter, St. Thomas Acquinas, Boston, MA; 01/2010)
"Jens Korndoerfer a su ravir le nombreux public venu l'couter jouer l'orgue Dom Bedos de
Bordeaux par son jeu virtuose et chaleureux. Son programme parfaitement adapt l'orgue a
particulirement bien mis en valeur l'instrument."
Alain Cartayrade (Artistic Director, Renaissance de l'Orgue, Bordeaux, France; 08/2013)
"Your concert was truly wonderful and I enjoyed very much all of the program. You beautifully
showed off the various colors of the organ and your playing was impeccable. Thank you for
coming to Spelman as a part of our organ series."
Dr. Joyce Johnson (Artistic Director & University Organist, Spelman College, Atlanta, GA;
01/2013)
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Dr. Jens Korndrfer

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"Le rcital propos par Jens Korndrfer lors de notre saison 2011 avait tout pour sduire le
public fidle et assidu du Festival de Couleurs de lOrgue franais. La varit de son programme
permettait de mettre en valeur un instrument qui, conu pour le rpertoire franais classique,
nest pas rfractaire pour autant aux pages contemporaines. Cest ainsi que Jacques Boyvin, par
exemple, a fait bon mnage avec Jean-Baptiste Robin. Les oeuvres de lun et de lautre, et bien
dautres encore, ont reu une interprtation digne de mention et nous avons pu constater quel
point M. Korndrfer peut passer avec maestria dun style et dune poque lautre. Nous avons
eu droit un grand moment musical, en vrit."
Yves-G. Prfontaine (Directeur artistique, Festival des Couleurs de lOrgue franais)
"Es fehlt bei Jens Korndrfer nicht an Virtuositt, aber vor allem lsst er sich Zeit fr jede
delikate Stelle der Musik. Seine Reflektion und Vermittlung der komplexesten Werke kommt
durch seine organische Gestaltung immer gut an."
Karstein Askeland (Dom Organist & Associate Professor, Grieg Academy, Bergen University,
Bergen, Norway; 08/2012)

PROFESSORS & JURY MEMBERS

"... an ideal blend of virtuosity and profound exploration of repertoire, both intellectually and
emotionally..."
Prof. Dr. Ludger Lohmann (Staatliche Hochschule fr Musik, Stuttgart, Germany
"One of the best performances in the Canadian International Organ Competition [in 2011]. Full
confidence and brilliant technique!"
Prof. Daniel Zaretsky (St. Petersburg State Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory, Russia)
"In Jens Korndoerfer's playing, I enormously appreciated what one might call the 'French touch',
there is something both effortless and poetic, the music is constantly alive. He has a real affinity
with repertoire of the 19th and 20th centuries, both French and German."
Prof. Susan Landale (Royal Academy of Music, London, UK; Co-titulaire, Cathedral of SaintLouis des Invalides, Paris, France)
"Ein groartiger Interpret der virtuosen symphonischen Orgelmusik!"
Prof. Torsten Laux (Robert-Schumann-Hochschule Dsseldorf, Germany)

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Dr. Jens Korndrfer

www.jenskorndoerfer.com

"Jens Korndoerfer's written answers were thorough, clear, and elegantly presented. It was in the
aural portion of the [D.Mus. comprehensive] examination that he particularly shone, though. It
was apparent that beyond the material included in his [five] essays, he had an impressively
secure base of knowledge, extensive both in its breadth and in his mastery of anecdotal details."
Prof. Dr. Jonathan Wild (Chair, Comprehensive Examination Committee, McGill University,
Montral, Canada; 05/2012)
"Jens Korndrfer ist einer der wenigen Organisten, die Musik tatschlich zu einem
suggestiv rumlichen Klangerlebnis werden lassen: die verschiedenen Klangschichten scheinen
aus unterschiedlichen Bereichen des Raumes zum Hrer zu gelangen. Der alte Satz von der
Orgel als Knigin der Instrumente findet bei ihm seine Besttigung. "
Prof. Michael Wessel (Hochschule fr Kirchenmusik, Bayreuth, Germany)

EDITORS
"Jai t trs impressionn par le soin et la profondeur de la recherche de Jens Korndoerfer.
Toute la partie historique [de sa thse de doctorat] notamment est passionnante. Il y aurait sans
doute un ouvrage trs intressant composer, en compltant les sources par dautres
tmoignages."
Prof. Guy Bovet (Editor, La Tribune de l'Orgue)
"As editor of The Organ, a journal devoted to church, cathedral and civic instruments and
published continuously in Great Britain since 1921, I have been particularly pleased during the
past several years to bring to an international readership a number of feature articles on aspects
of the organ's repertoire written by Dr. Jens Korndrfer. His studies, on various aspects
appertaining to the organ, have always been outstanding in their insight and original approach to
the matter in question, and have invariably aroused favourable comment from the journal's
world-wide readership. We hope that, in the future, we may have the opportunity of publishing
further examples of Dr Korndrfer's admirable scholarship."
Robert Matthew-Walker (Editor, The Organ)

Press Notices Pages 4-7

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Dr. Jens Korndrfer

www.jenskorndoerfer.com

Press Notices
Sts. Martyrs-Canadiens, Quebec
[His] concert thrilled the audience.
enchanted by the transcriptions.

Amazed by his virtuosity, many were also

Mixtures, May 2013

Pro Organo Recital Series, Ottawa

Colorful and exciting playing three wonderful transcriptions stunning encore.
ORGAN Canada, March 2013
The concert opened with the Sinfonia from Cantata 29 by J. S. Bach in a transcription by
Marcel Dupr. This very exciting piece drew the listener immediately into the majestic sound of
the Cathedral organ, as it built toward full organ at the end Korndrfer found creative and
imaginative ways to communicate his sonic vision. His frequent use of the sanctuary organ was
particularly effective As an encore, we were treated to the Pilgrims Chorus from Tannhuser
and what a treat it was! As often happens, it aint over till its over: the encore was stunningly
beautiful, a real highlight, and the perfect ending to a very satisfying recital.
Pipelines, December 2012
Conservatory, Bayreuth
Dramatic, solemn, straightforward: Jens Korndrfer delivered a brilliant performance of
French organ music The scope of the highly impressive program was terrific: it covered the
highly dramatic impetus of Tournemires Victimae paschali, the meditative peace of Francks
First Chorale in E Major, the convincing humour of Vierne and Dupr, the exquisite solemnity
of Widor, Messiaens experimental bird studies, and the gregorian simplicity in Durufl. With
his phrasing, the dynamics and the registration, Korndrfer led the evening in a most varied
way. The evening was a resounding plea for French organ music.
Nordbayerischer Kurier, January 20, 2012
Canadian International Organ Competition 2011, Gala Concert
A prodigious technician, [Korndrfer] produced audacious effects in The Offering, the
last one of 12 Etudes for Small Organ by William Albright.
La Presse, October 17, 2011
St. Laurentius, Meeder
Brilliant and fascinating art of the organ. A German from Montreal fascinates in the
Laurentius church in Meeder Korndoerfer demonstrated what the organ from 1812
supposedly in need of repair could do. [Charles Ives Variations on America] was the glorious
finish of a concert experience that was received enthusiastically.
Neue Presse Coburg, June 14, 2011

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Dr. Jens Korndrfer

www.jenskorndoerfer.com

St. Michaelis, Hof

Jens Korndrfer [had been chosen] to open the Heidenreich-Festival an excellent
choice; an exceptional beginning For half an hour, the performer literally pulled out all the
stops of the instrument and traveled through a kaleidoscope of styles and sounds. This was a
comprehensive preparation for [Liszts] half-hour long Fantasy and Fugue on Ad nos ad
salutarem undam [Korndrfer] seemed to urge Liszts symphonic organ poetry from the
house of God into the theatre. Indeed, the theme is a hymn from Meyerbeers Le Prophte
and Jens Korndrfer at the console of the Heidenreich-organ turned into the conductor of a grand
opera.
Frankenpost, January 24, 2011
Stadtkirche, Hersbruck
World-class organist from Lauf Numerous friends of the organ experienced a magic
moment of organ music performed by a high profile concert organist.
Pegnitz-Zeitung, January 2011
St. Martini, Stadthagen
Glorious performance by a star of the organ from Montreal The public was
transfixed by the masters grandiose art Young and old were visibly fascinated by the modest
artists performance in Stadthagen.
Schaumburg-Lippische Zeitung, July 2010
Heilig-Geist, Mannheim
Korndrfer is a thoroughly convincing performer: his technique is accomplished, and at
the same time he is sensitive and brilliant. This is organ music as a real treat and it resonates
far beyond the concert.
Mannheimer Morgen, January 13, 2011
Korndrfer established himself as a highly accomplished organist and as a virtuoso.
Bachs Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C Major was performed in a very coherent way (and with
a considerable amount of playful bravura) The first movement of Widors Sixth Symphony
developed into an intoxicating and opulent festival of brightly glowing colours, in which the
Gckl-organ could shine in its full glory Duprs elegant, playful and colourful Variations sur
in Noel were the striking finish of the program.
Die Rheinpfalz, January 2010
St. Johannis, Lauf
Simply entrancing and deeply moving. One could have heard a needle drop Jens
Korndrfer is brilliant in all facets of organ music, in the well-known as well as in the
completely unexpected.
Pegnitz-Zeitung, June 2, 2009

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Dr. Jens Korndrfer

www.jenskorndoerfer.com

St. Hedwig, Bayreuth

Jens Korndrfer, American by choice, shone as master of his profession in Bayreuths
Hedwig Church. Already in the first work of the evening [Buxtehudes Prelude, Fugue and
Ciaconne in C], Korndrfer convinced [his audience] entirely by his extremely clear and
technically impeccable playing and the detailed registration Korndrfer rewarded the
prolonged applause with a cheerful march by Haydn.
Der Neue Tag, June 19, 2009
Jens Korndrfer enthused the public with a well-planned, dramatic program One felt
that Korndrfer did not rehash a worn out interpretation of a standard work [Bachs Toccata in d]
but presented his very own interpretation.
Nordbayerischer Kurier, June 15, 2009
Bayreuth Conservatory
ORGANIST CREATES WAVES OF EXCITEMENT
In his 29 years, organist Jens Korndrfer already made a name for himself far beyond
his countrys borders And the visit to the Bayreuth Conservatory paid off tremendously for
the numerous public. In this concert, everyone got their moneys worth, for in his musical
journey from Bach to Messiaen, Korndrfer covered the most diverse compositions and styles
In the last work of the evening, Korndrfer could once again display his entire skills. Sergei
Prokofievs Toccata op. 11 in an arrangement by Jean Guillou requires a perfectly polished
technique and a high-speed motion sequence for hands and feet, which Korndrfer mastered to
the highest degree. Not surprisingly, the public let him go only after showing their rapturous
appreciation and being finally treated to none other than Widors famous Toccata from the Fifth
Symphony.
Nordbayerischer Kurier, January 17, 2008
St. Martin, Nienburg
AN UNPARALLELED ORGANIST
Jens Korndrfer delivered a brilliant performance at the organ in St. Martin. The artist,
who has received numerous awards and honors, captivated his audience by the refinement of his
registration, through perfect precision and his musical sensitivity. He elicited colors of sound
from the instrument that had not been heard in the last ten years The public followed with
breathless concentration and rapturous applause, flavoured with shouts of Bravo!
Die Harke, July 10, 2007
St. Mary, Kerpen-Sindorf
Korndrfers program included pieces by Albinoni, Durufl, Wagner, Andrew Lloyd
Webber and Puccini The pieces that Korndrfer performed resulted in sheer elation among
the public.
Sonntags Post, August 5, 2007
St. Petri, Kulmbach A PALETTE OF MUSICAL COLOURS
Jens Korndrfers technical skills shone in his organ recital in St. Petri Korndrfer
interpreted the extremely technically challenging three-movement composition [Durufls Suite]
with passion, vitality and musicality. His convincing formal conception left no desires
unfulfilled.
Bayerische Rundchau, June 26, 2007
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Dr. Jens Korndrfer

www.jenskorndoerfer.com

St. Johannis, Lauf

Korndrfers playing possesses a rare, amazing clarity and transparency in the voice
leading, subtle articulation and phrasing; all draped in differentiated, sensitive sound colouring
It is not difficult to predict a great international career.
Pegnitz-Zeitung, February 2007
Church of Our Saviour, Bad Kissingen
The 26-year-old Jens Korndrfer, a young and virtuosic emerging talent, sat at the
keyboard of the Steinmeyer Organ He mastered the challenging oeuvre [Widors Sixth
Symphony] brilliantly and with bravura. The enthusiastic applause was rewarded with Duprs
Toccata [Vespers for the Virgin Mary].
Saale-Zeitung, August 3, 2005
City Church, Bayreuth
Without a doubt, Korndrfer possesses both sensitivity and virtuosity for romantic organ
music; he enthralls the public not only through a high degree of expression and technical skills,
but also through a fantastically graded romantic registration. Jens Korndrfer is capable of
realizing the various facets of French organ music in a marvelous way.
Nordbayerischer Kurier, July 2005
Notre Dame, Villeneuve-sur-Yonne SPECTACULAR OPENING OF THE ORGAN FESTIVAL
Last Sunday the festival welcomed Jens Korndrfer, a confirmed rising star
Korndrfer took possession of the organ and it was a perfect match.
June 21, 2005

Karen McFarlane Artists, Inc.

33563 Seneca Drive Cleveland, OH 44139
TOLL FREE (866) 721-9095 FAX (440) 542-1890 www.concertorganists.com

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