A harpsichordist, continuo player, and musicologist, Christensen was a renowned expert on historical performance practices who was viewed by many as primarily responsible for shaping modern trends in interpretations of historical basso continuo parts.
From 1972 to 1985, Christensen served as a lecturer at the Royal Danish University of Music in Copenhagen, plus served from 1988 until his retirement in 2015 as a professor at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis. Christen was also a visiting professor at numerous other institutions across Europe.
Christensen was a prolific author of scholarly research exploring oral music traditions and historical performance conventions. His book 18th Century Continuo Playing: A Historical Guide to the Basics was published by Barenreiter in 2002.
Christensen also performed on numerous recordings of music by Corelli, Vivaldi, Geminiani, and more. His albums were released by record labels including Harmonia Mundi, Stunt Records, Pan Classics, and Symphonia.
“With his valuable and often running against the mainstream impulses, he has fundamentally shaped numerous students in their musical attitude,” writes the Musik Akademie Basel in an article paying tribute to Christensen. “His critical and sometimes subversive view of early music has always surprised and fascinated. “With him we lose an extraordinary musician and music researcher, a unique musico theorico-practicus, a kind-hearted person and friend.”
Our condolences go out to Christensen’s family, friends, colleagues, and students.