Life as Edward Jensen » Videos

War is hell.

Edward Jensen — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:00:35 +0000

Or so said William Tecumseh Sherman, a General for the Union Army during the American Civil War in the late 19th century. It’s been an apt quote through the ages, and one that really comes into play at the moment.

Much has been made about the 90+ thousand pages of documents leaked about American involvement in Afghanistan and the geopolitical struggle in the region. Jon Stewart (of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart) weighs in on this. Readers and viewers be advised, this contains strong language:

If ever there was a reason to support the troops, it would be to get them out of Afghanistan. We’re fighting alongside an Afghan army that could, quite frankly, care less about their safety and security. We’re fighting against a well-financed insurgency that might even be financed by the Pakistani government, which is in turn financed by us. We’re also fighting history: nobody has ever won a war in the eastern mountains of Afghanistan.

This war will not be won by military prowess alone. It will take a lot of well-choreographed diplomacy. Throwing money at Afghanistan (and Iraq) will not solve the problem.

I am a pacifist but there are times when even I believe that war is necessary. As Scripture says, “There is a time for war and a time for peace.” We’re past the time for war. Now is the time for peace.

Support the troops: End this unsustainable war.

-E

Look Around You!

Edward Jensen — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:30:29 +0000

No, I’m not saying if this is real or if it’s a spoof. But look around you!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=drE5cHe6c3s

-E

The College of Public Programs is awesome

Edward Jensen — Thu, 06 May 2010 16:00:40 +0000

For a couple of years, I’ve worked alongside Kirsten Martin in the Dean’s Office for our College. She will graduate in a couple days with her Master in Social Work.

To demonstrate the amazing things that College of Public Programs students are doing, here’s a quick note that she sent to her family, friends, and colleagues about a program that she implemented during her internship:

A program my supervisor and I implemented at my internship was featured on the channel 99 for those who have cox cable. This is a great program that teaches kids to be peaceful in their communities as well as in school or their homes. They have given service in the community and donated money to charities. This is a school in which 97% of the students receive free lunches due to socio-economic status and live in inpoverished neighborhoods and crime ridden environments. They are such an inspiration to me as they try to teach others to be more peaceful and see the good in each other. They truly give hope in places where hope is not often found! I’m so proud of them! This is an example of what schools can do and the good they can bring, yet they are in danger right now. This school is slated for closure should proposition 100 not be passed. Please watch this video and think about whether these kids deserve to keep their school and continue the good work they are doing. Vote YES on prop 100, not for you, but for their future!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqugHm0NPSg

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: There is so much amazing stuff that my college does. Most higher-education institutions say that they teach students to change the world. There’s one difference, though: the College of Public Programs actually does change the world.

I’m proud to be a student in my college, the College of Public Programs.

-Edward Jensen

Something to make us feel good

Edward Jensen — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 03:30:35 +0000

I think that, given what’s happened in Arizona, we need a smile on our face.

Yeah, I know it’s a marketing commercial for the Discovery Channel, but it reminds us of all the great things on this planet.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=at_f98qOGY0

www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0jZzBEKIMc

Stay strong.

-Edward Jensen

The Phoenix Symphony presents Mozart’s Requiem (18/20 March)

Edward Jensen — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:00:42 +0000

I’m going to this. See you Thursday! (And expect a review afterward.)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnXiBC-qiBQ

-Edward Jensen

Curling, explained

Edward Jensen — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:00:23 +0000

Here’s a video from the National Science Foundation and NBC Sports explaining the science behind my favorite Winter Olympics sport, curling.

if you cannot see the video, click here

Don’t be knocking my sport!

-Edward Jensen

Do you believe in miracles?

Edward Jensen — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:00:37 +0000

30 years on, that answer is still yes.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTev5pSuYLk

-Edward Jensen

Shields and Brooks on Civility in Congress, partisan politics, and everything else

Edward Jensen — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 18:00:03 +0000

For what it’s worth…this was on the PBS NewsHour’s 19 February 2010 broadcast.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=83R8RHIuR34

-Edward Jensen

Sandra Day O’Connor on Horizon

Edward Jensen — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 21:00:38 +0000

Last week, retired US Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor stopped by KAET’s public affairs program Horizon to talk about what she’s been doing since she retired from the high court, civility in government, and her O’Connor House Project.

Justice O’Connor’s confirmation created the Horizon program back in 1981 and it’s apropos that she was the first guest in Horizon’s new set in the Cronkite School building on the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus.

if you can’t see the video, click here

-Edward Jensen

Our weird county…

Edward Jensen — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:00:07 +0000

Reporter JJ Hensley from the Arizona Republic sat down with Ted Simons on a recent edition of KAET’s Horizon to discuss what’s going on in Maricopa County.

With apologies to Stanley Kramer, it’s a mad, mad, mad, mad, county…

-Edward Jensen

Christmastide 2009 greetings: Hodie Christus natus est!

Edward Jensen — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 17:00:38 +0000

Merry Christmas to all!

“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” [Isaiah 9:6 NRSV]

O come let us adore him!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhLIdT8DFI0

Today Christ is born: Alleluia.
Today the Savior comes: Alleluia.
Today the angels sing on earth: Alleluia. Glory to God in the highest.

Merry Christmas!

-Edward Jensen

“An issue of fairness and equality”

Edward Jensen — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:00:38 +0000

Presented without comment.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1criD7cMfs

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCFFxidhcy0

-Edward Jensen

LHCb sees where the anti-matter’s gone…

Edward Jensen — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 16:00:17 +0000

Last week, physicists working at the CERN in Switzerland and France recorded the first collisions in the Large Hadron Collider, a 17-mile underground circle that accelerates atoms to collide in an effort to recreate the universe mere moments after the Big Bang.

And, strangely, all I can think of is the Large Hadron Rap:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=j50ZssEojtM

-Edward Jensen

Thanksgiving treats: The Muppets in an Epic Win

Edward Jensen — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:00:16 +0000

I should think that no preface is needed. Have a happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgbNymZ7vqY

(if you need a refresher on all the Muppets featured in the video, go here.)

-Edward Jensen

Cameron Carpenter in concert: Horowitz’s Carmen Variations

Edward Jensen — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:00:17 +0000

While exploring through The New York Times website recently, I came across a review of an organ concert by Cameron Carpenter, an up-and-coming American organist known for his showmanship, technique, and his arrangements for organ.

Anyway, the concert review linked to a video of him performing his orchestration of Vladimir Horowitz’s Carmen Variations. This was performed on the Marshall & Ogletree organ at Trinity Wall Street, which readers of this blog will remember was the same organ whereupon Robert Ridgell played his tribute to the King of Pop on the King of Instruments.

Enjoy!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdsY-1QCvTk

-Edward Jensen

ASU Downtown and Phoenix Partnership

Edward Jensen — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:00:41 +0000

Curious about why the Downtown Phoenix campus exists? Check out this video:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE4YAyf88UQ

-Edward Jensen

Mountain Bell Building implosion, 27 September 2009

Edward Jensen — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:00:26 +0000

A sad end to one of Phoenix’s architecturally significant buildings happened yesterday when the former Qwest/Mountain Bell Building, at 3rd St and Earll, was demolished. The building had sat as a steel frame for many years as it was supposed to be turned into a new development. But the economy went into the toilet and, well, need I say more?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA4-kuZN26A

So, it’s sad to see this building go, but it had become quickly vandalized and blighted. I guess this was for the best.

-Edward Jensen

Did You Know: Fall 2009

Edward Jensen — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:00:39 +0000

Building on the success of the previous three “Did You Know?” videos that quickly went viral, here’s the latest edition:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ILQrUrEWe8

How quickly the world changes…

-Edward Jensen

Requiescat in pace, Edward Kennedy

Edward Jensen — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:13:27 +0000

www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2r9mQ7bUco

“For me, a few hours ago, this campaign came to an end. For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.” [Sen. Kennedy, 12 August 1980]

Music break: Ravel’s “Le tombeau de Couperin”

Edward Jensen — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:00:50 +0000

Those who know me know that I am a big fan and student of Classical music. As we approach the start of the Fall 2009 semester, I thought I’d post one of my favorite orchestrations: Maurice Ravel‘s Le tombeau de Couperin, which was composed in 1919. As is wont in Ravel’s orchestrations, tonal color and __ are used rather effectively.

I hope you’ll agree with me in these two videos by the BBC Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Esa-Pekka Salonen at the 2007 BBC Proms. The first video has first two movements and the final video is the final two movements.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXRZQIfxlIU

movements I (Prelude) and II (Forlane)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jAPs2JigEQ

movements III (Menuet) and IV (Rigaudon)

-Edward Jensen

Camerata Singers Season Performance this Sunday!

Edward Jensen — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:00:20 +0000

[author's note: So since this is a personal blog, a couple of shameless self-promotions are perfectly okay.]

A couple of good friends from my high school, Eric Choate and Sean Colonna, have put together a summer choir that’s called the Camerata Singers, and I’m in the choir. Over the past weeks, we’ve prepared music by Palestrina, de Victoria, des Prez, Morley, Gasparini, Rachmaninoff, Vaughan Williams, and a couple settings of folk tunes. Rather than keep this incredible music to ourselves, we want to share it with you!

With this said, join us for our season concert this Sunday, August 2nd, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1407 N 2nd St, in Phoenix. (It’s near the McDowell/Central Avenue Metro station.) The performance begins at 3:30pm and a free-will retiring collection will be taken.

And, if you’re bold enough, join the church for its 5:30pm evening service and see me conduct the Camerata on Tomás Luis de Victoria’s O magnum mysterium. It’s a really beautiful piece:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IMPV11p7tU

For more information, check out the Facebook page for the concert. And I hope to see you there!

-Edward Jensen

Tranquility Base Here: 40 years on

Edward Jensen — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:34:22 +0000

Forty years ago, man landed on the moon for the first time. To provide some perspective, here is the late Walter Cronkite:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwaA-hbvYF8

Rest in peace, Walter. You will be missed. And that’s the way it is.

-Edward Jensen

Did you know?

Edward Jensen — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:00:38 +0000

Here’s an interesting video that puts things in perspective on a macro scale:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL9Wu2kWwSY

-Edward Jensen

take 2: Charles Ives' Variations on America

Edward Jensen — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:00:32 +0000

If you remember, back on July 4, I posted a video of the late Virgil Fox performing Charles Ives’ Variations on ‘America’, which you probably know as either My country, ’tis of thee or God save the Queen. But after posting that video, I found a couple of different (better?) versions and so I feel as though I should reshare.

So, here is Tom Trenney performing on the Trinity Wall Street organ, which should be familiar to you because this is where Robert Ridgell performed quite possibly the best tribute to Michael Jackson.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_N9PF2JwIc

Much better, I think.

-Edward Jensen

We hold these truths to be self-evident…

Edward Jensen — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:00:15 +0000

233 years ago, never have words have such a profound effect on history. On this day, the Declaration of Independence was signed and thus was born the greatest political experiment, the United States of America.

Fast forward to 1891, when young church organist and composer Charles Ives composed his Variations on ‘America’, which you might know as either My country, ’tis of thee or God save the Queen (how ironic).

Finally, fast forward to today, 4 July 2009, where you’ll listen to the late concert organist Virgil Fox play this piece:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNpJJLNI6xg

So happy Independence Day, America!

-Edward Jensen