In a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging apparatus and control method therefor, multiple frequency spectra of a material of the examination object are detected using at least one radio-frequency coil of and MR scanner, the coil having a number of coil elements and at least two of the frequency spectra are detected individually detected by respective, different coil elements. A number of resonant frequencies of at least one molecule in the material are established in the number of frequency spectra. Control information is formulated based on the number of resonant frequencies. The magnetic resonance scanner is controlled using the control information.