Hans Swarowsky

Composers

Biography

Born: September 16, 1899; Budapest, Hungary   Died: September 10, 1975; Salzburg, Austria  
Known as widely for his teaching as for his orchestral direction, Hans Swarowsky had much to share with a younger generation of musicians. He studied composition and conducting with several of the twentieth century's greatest icons, absorbing and exercising what he had learned in a respected career as a conductor. Despite an uneven cast, his recording of Wagner's Ring cycle, taped in Prague, has considerable power and poetry.

Born in Read more Hungary, Swarowsky studied in Vienna with composers Arnold Schoenberg and Anton Webern and trained in conducting with Felix Weingartner, Richard Strauss, and Clemens Krauss. His engagements subsequently took him to many parts of Europe, first to Stuttgart and Hamburg, later to Berlin (1934), Zürich (1937-1940), and Krakow (1944-1946).

Following several harrowing experiences in flight from the Nazis, Swarowsky found his career stabilized once more in the postwar period with an engagement at Graz from 1947-1950. During this time and in subsequent assignments at the Wiener Staatsoper, Swarowsky was recognized as a conductor with a long measure of technical expertise. Thus, his classes at Vienna's Academy of Music and the Performing Arts, where he had been professor of conducting since 1946, drew a remarkable pool of aspiring young musicians. Among them were Claudio Abbado, Jesús López-Cobos, Mariss Jansons, Zubin Mehta, Giuseppe Sinopoli, and Bruno Weil, later to be among the most prominent of their generation. Vienna's Hans Swarowsky International Conductors' Competition has attracted musicians from all parts of the globe, becoming in the process one of the world's most important clearing houses for rising talent.

From 1957 to 1959, Swarowsky served as chief conductor of the Scottish National Orchestra. In 1959, he was appointed chief conductor of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra; together with his service to that ensemble, he continued to appear with the Wiener Staatsoper.

In addition to performing compositions from the Classical and Romantic periods, Swarowsky served his own age with diligence. Aside from Strauss and Webern, composers such as Britten, Einem, Hindemith, Pfitzner, and Stravinsky figured prominently in the conductor's programming. Among his recordings for Concert Hall, Erato, Nonesuch, Vanguard, Vox, and Weltbild, he committed to disc an especially delightful set of orchestral suites from Humperdinck operas. Read less
Browse 1-25 of 28 Available Recordings
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  • 1.
    Chopin: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2; Polonaises; Mazurkas / Pressler
    Chopin: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2; Polonaises; Mazurkas / Pressler
    Label: Doremi Records   Catalog: 7989 Release Date: 02/12/2013   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Frédéric Chopin
    Performer:  Menahem Pressler
    Conductor:  David Josefowitz,  Hans Swarowsky,  Jean-Marie Auberson
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  • 2.
    The 50 Darkest Pieces Of Classical Music
    The 50 Darkest Pieces Of Classical Music
    Label: X5 Music Group   Catalog: 108 Release Date: 10/25/2011   Number of Discs: 4
    Composer:  Franz Liszt,  Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky,  Edvard Grieg,  Camille Saint-Saëns  ... 
    Performer:  Michael Ponti,  Finghin Collins,  Roland Pöntinen,  Emmy Berhey  ... 
    Conductor:  Volke Schmidt-Gertenbach,  Heribert Beissel,  David Parry,  James DePreist  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Moyzes String Quartet,  Camerata Antonio Lucio,  Capella Istropolitana  ... 
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  • 3.
    Coming From The Mill: A Musical Evening For L. S. Lowry
    Label: Gift Of Music   Catalog: 956599 Release Date: 08/02/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Johannes Brahms,  Franz Joseph Haydn  ... 
    Performer:  Martin Souter,  Aldo Baldin,  Krisztina Láki,  Christof Roos  ... 
    Conductor:  Wilhe Bruckner-Ruggeberg,  Don Jackson,  Hans Swarowsky,  Frieder Bernius  ... 
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  • 4.
    Friedrich Wuhrer Plays Beethoven, Vol. 1: Back From The Shadows
    Friedrich Wuhrer Plays Beethoven, Vol. 1: Back From The Shadows
    Label: Tahra   Catalog: 704 Release Date: 08/10/2010   Number of Discs: 4
    Composer:  Ludwig van Beethoven
    Performer:  Friedrich Wuhrer,  Joseph Schuster,  Bronislaw Gimpel
    Conductor:  Hans Swarowsky,  Walther Davisson,  Jonel Perlea,  Heinrich Hollreiser
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  • 5.
    Bach: Brandenburg Concertos; Orchestral Suites; Double Concertos; Organ Works [box Set]
    Bach: Brandenburg Concertos; Orchestral Suites; Double Concertos; Organ Works [box Set]
    Label: Zyx Records   Catalog: 10316 Release Date: 07/22/2008   Number of Discs: 5
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Johann Christian Bach
    Performer:  Franz Lehrndorfer,  Miklós Spányi,  Hans-Christoph Becker-Foss,  Christiane Jaccottet  ... 
    Conductor:  Eugen Duvier,  Henry Adolph,  Hans Swarowsky,  Francesco Macci  ... 
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  • 6.
    Kuhlau, Schumann: Piano Concertos / Felicja Blumental
    Kuhlau, Schumann: Piano Concertos / Felicja Blumental
    Label: Brana Records   Catalog: 16 Release Date: 01/30/2007   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Friedrich Kuhlau,  Robert Schumann,  Camille Saint-Saëns
    Performer:  Felicja Blumental
    Conductor:  Theodor Guschlbauer,  Hans Swarowsky,  Luigi Toffolo
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra,  Vienna Pro Musica Orchestra,  Trieste Philharmonic
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  • 7.
    Grieg, Fauré, Liszt-busoni / Blumental, Et Al
    Grieg, Fauré, Liszt-busoni / Blumental, Et Al
    Label: Brana Records   Catalog: 15 Release Date: 05/30/2006   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Franz Liszt,  Gabriel Fauré,  Edvard Grieg
    Performer:  Felicja Blumental
    Conductor:  Helmuth Froschauer,  Rudolf Schwarz,  Hans Swarowsky
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Prague Symphony Orchestra,  Philharmonia Orchestra,  Vienna Pro Musica Orchestra
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  • 8.
    Mozart Singers Of The Past
    Mozart Singers Of The Past
    Label: Preiser Records   Catalog: 90690 Release Date: 04/25/2006   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
    Performer:  Ludwig Weber,  Emmy Loose,  Wilhelm Tisch,  Wilma Lipp  ... 
    Conductor:  Felix Prohaska,  Josef Krips,  Alexander Krannhals,  Herbert von Karajan  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra,  Orchestra,  Berlin State Opera Orchestra  ... 
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  • 9.
    Reopening Of The Vienna State Opera - 1955 / Goltz, Et Al
    Reopening Of The Vienna State Opera - 1955 / Goltz, Et Al
    Label: Preiser Records   Catalog: 90675 Release Date: 11/29/2005   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,  Ludwig van Beethoven,  Carl Maria von Weber,  Richard Wagner  ... 
    Performer:  Maria Reining,  Sena Jurinac,  Irmgard Seefried,  Erich Kunz  ... 
    Conductor:  Josef Krips,  Herbert von Karajan,  Otto Ackermann,  Hans Swarowsky  ... 
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  • 10.
    Mozart: Concerto Masterpieces / Suk, Pinder, Swarowsky
    Mozart: Concerto Masterpieces / Suk, Pinder, Swarowsky
    Label: Vanguard   Catalog: 1270 Release Date: 03/09/2004   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
    Performer:  Albert Linder,  André Lardrot,  Josef Suk,  Thomas Kakuska
    Conductor:  Hans Swarowsky,  Felix Prohaska,  Josef Suk
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna State Opera Orchestra,  Suk Chamber Orchestra
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  • 11.
    Masterpieces - Mozart: Piano Concertos / Brendel, Gulda
    Masterpieces - Mozart: Piano Concertos / Brendel, Gulda
    Label: Vanguard   Catalog: 1185 Release Date: 08/12/2003   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
    Performer:  Denis Matthews,  Friedrich Gulda,  Alfred Brendel
    Conductor:  Hans Swarowsky,  Paul Angerer,  Antonio Janigro
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna State Opera Orchestra,  Friedrich Gulda Orchestra,  I Solisti di Zagreb
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  • 12.
    Prokofiev: Peter And The Wolf; Britten, Saint-saëns
    Prokofiev: Peter And The Wolf; Britten, Saint-saëns
    Label: Vox Allegretto   Catalog: 8219 Release Date: 04/30/2002   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Camille Saint-Saëns,  Benjamin Britten,  Sergei Prokofiev
    Performer:  Marylčne Dosse,  Annie Petit,  Brandon De Wilde
    Conductor:  Jörg Faerber,  Hans Swarowsky,  Louis de Froment
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Württemberg Chamber Orchestra,  Vienna Pro Musica Orchestra,  Luxembourg Radio/Television Symphony Orchestra
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  • 13.
    Ira Malaniuk - Arien Und Lieder
    Ira Malaniuk - Arien Und Lieder
    Label: Preiser Records   Catalog: 90428 Release Date: 12/19/2000   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Traditional,  Taras Shevchenko,  M. Voloshyn,  Mykola Lysenko  ... 
    Performer:  Ira Malaniuk,  N. Kupdehraben
    Conductor:  Andriy Hnatyszyn,  Hans Swarowsky
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Orchestra,  Saint Barbara Church Choir of Vienna,  Vienna Volksoper Orchestra
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  • 14.
    Danza Ilitsch
    Danza Ilitsch
    Label: Preiser Records   Catalog: 90429 Release Date: 11/28/2000   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Ruggero Leoncavallo,  Giacomo Puccini,  Pietro Mascagni,  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart  ... 
    Performer:  Daniza Ilitsch
    Conductor:  Hans Swarowsky,  Max Rudolf
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna State Opera Orchestra,  Metropolitan Orchestra
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  • 15.
    Grieg, Tchaikovsky: Piano Concertos / Walewska, Langer, Etc
    Label: Tuxedo Music   Catalog: 1008 Release Date: 04/15/2000   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky,  Edvard Grieg
    Performer:  Valeria Walewska
    Conductor:  Hans Swarowsky,  Erich Langer
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna State Opera Orchestra,  Vienna Symphony Chamber Orchestra
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  • 16.
    Mieczyslaw Horszowski Plays Beethoven And Chopin
    Mieczyslaw Horszowski Plays Beethoven And Chopin
    Label: Vox Box Legends   Catalog: 5511 Release Date: 02/28/2000   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Ludwig van Beethoven,  Frédéric Chopin
    Performer:  Mieczyslaw Horszowski
    Conductor:  Hans Swarowsky
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Symphony Orchestra
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  • 17.
    Classics For The Occasion - Daydreamin' / Oistrakh, Et Al
    Classics For The Occasion - Daydreamin' / Oistrakh, Et Al
    Label: Columbia River Entertainment   Catalog: 1061 Release Date: 03/31/1999   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Strauss Jr.,  Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
    Performer:  David Oistrakh
    Conductor:  Václáv Smetácek,  Hans Swarowsky,  Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Prague Symphony Orchestra,  Czech Philharmonic Orchestra,  London Symphony Orchestra
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  • 18.
    Haydn: Cello Concerto, Trumpet Concerto / Cassadó, Holler
    Haydn: Cello Concerto, Trumpet Concerto / Cassadó, Holler
    Label: Tuxedo Music   Catalog: 1072 Release Date: 11/01/1998   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Franz Joseph Haydn
    Performer:  Adolf Holler,  Gaspar Cassadó
    Conductor:  Hans Swarowsky,  Jonel Perlea
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna State Opera Orchestra,  Bamberg Symphony Orchestra
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  • 19.
    Rachmaninov, Schumann: Piano Concertos / Felicja Blumental
    Rachmaninov, Schumann: Piano Concertos / Felicja Blumental
    Label: Tuxedo Music   Catalog: 1045 Release Date: 11/01/1998   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Robert Schumann,  Sergei Rachmaninov
    Performer:  Felicja Blumental
    Conductor:  Hans Swarowsky,  Michael Gielen
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Pro Musica Orchestra,  Vienna State Opera Orchestra
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  • 20.
    Lebendige Vergangenheit - Jan Kiepura
    Lebendige Vergangenheit - Jan Kiepura
    Label: Preiser Records   Catalog: 89138 Release Date: 01/21/1997   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Gioachino Rossini,  Robert Stolz,  Eduardo Di Capua,  Buday,  ... 
    Performer:  Jan Kiepura,  Lotte Lehmann
    Conductor:  Frieder Weissmann,  Robert Stolz,  Hans Swarowsky,  Werner Schmidt-Bölke  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Odeon-Künstler Orchestra,  Original-Tonfilm Orchestra,  Berlin Staatskapelle Orchestra  ... 
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  • 21.
    Humperdinck: Tone Picture, Excerpts From King's Children
    Humperdinck: Tone Picture, Excerpts From King's Children
    Label: Tuxedo Music   Catalog: 1054 Release Date: 03/26/1996   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Engelbert Humperdinck
    Conductor:  Hans Swarowsky
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna State Opera Orchestra
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  • 22.
    Mendelssohn: Works For Piano & Orchestra / Rena Kyriakou
    Mendelssohn: Works For Piano & Orchestra / Rena Kyriakou
    Label: Tuxedo Music   Catalog: 1011 Release Date: 03/26/1996   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Felix Mendelssohn
    Performer:  Rena Kyriakou
    Conductor:  Hans Swarowsky,  Jacques Lacombe
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Vienna Pro Musica Orchestra
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  • 23.
    Art Of Classics - Beliebte Orchesterwerke
    Art Of Classics - Beliebte Orchesterwerke
    Label: Intercord Klassische Diskothek   Catalog: 25920 Release Date: 05/23/1995   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Alexander Borodin,  Sergei Prokofiev,  Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky,  Jean Sibelius  ... 
    Conductor:  Siegfried Köhler,  Yan Pascal Tortelier,  Günther Wich,  Gennadi Rozhdestvensky  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Philharmonia Hungarica,  London Symphony Orchestra,  Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra  ... 
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  • 24.
    Art Of Classics - Brahms: Masterpieces Vol 1
    Art Of Classics - Brahms: Masterpieces Vol 1
    Label: Intercord Klassische Diskothek   Catalog: 25924 Release Date: 05/23/1995   Number of Discs: 3
    Composer:  Johannes Brahms
    Performer:  Mark Kaplan,  David Geringas,  Dieter Goldmann
    Conductor:  Michael Gielen,  Hans Swarowsky,  Alfred Scholz
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Southwest German Radio Symphony Orchestra,  South German Philharmonic Orchestra,  Munich Symphony Orchestra
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  • 25.
    Bach: Concertos
    Bach: Concertos
    Label: Zyx Records   Catalog: 4001 Release Date: 02/21/1995   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer:  Christiane Jaccottet,  Alberto Tozzi,  Tomaso Vecchi
    Conductor:  Hans Swarowsky,  Francesco Macci
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Hyacinthe Eléonore Klosé
    CD: $6.99
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