Letter to students May 1975
Having to retire from the Vienna University of Music, Swarowsky wrote this letter to his students:
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Letter Wobisch February 1975
A letter from Helmut Wobisch discussing details for the planned conducting course in Ossiach in 1975, together with an annoucement of the course. Swarowsky could not participate in Ossiach due to his declining condition: he thought at a course in Vienna in July and was admitted to hospital on the last day of the course:
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Wiener Meisterkurse 1975
A draft program of the Vienna Masterclasses from 1975 with Swarowsky's annotations.
This was Swarowskys last course as he had to cancel his participation in Ossiach that summer.
Swarowsky was admitted to hospital on the last day of the course, his cancer has become incurable:
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Ernst von Siemens Foundation 1974
In this letter from June 1974, the Siemens Foundation confirms a grant of SFR 15.000 for Swarowskys students at the Vienna Music Academy, which Swarowsky is invited to distribute according to his own assessment:
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Fidelio Leipzig 1974
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Vienna Symphony Orchestra November 1974
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La Scala invitation for the 1975-76 season
Claudio Abbado wanted to invite Swarowsky to conduct a concert at La Scala in the 1975 - 1976 season,
and suggested following program:
Schoenberg: 1st psalm, Kol Nidrei, violin concerto (with Accardo as soloist)
and extracts from Schumann's Genoveva.
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ORF October 1974
A letter from ORF (Austrian Broadcasting Station) confirming an invitation of Swarowsky for a concert in March 1976. The full planned program is unknown but Swarowsky has suggested Heinrich Schiff for the Monn Cello Concerto in Schoenbergs arrangement:
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With Zubin Mehta 1974 in Linz
With Zubin Mehta at the Brucknerhaus Linz in October 1974...
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NHK orchestra with Demus and Badura Skoda 1974
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Letter Hannes Androsch March 1973
Hannes Androsch, then Finance Minister of Austria, thanks Hans Swarowsky...
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Letter Willi Reich
Swarowsky knew Willi Reich since the 1920s, when rivaling for Julia Laszky's love. It's Willi Reich who introduces Swarowsky to Siegmund Freud. In this very friendly letter, Reich asks about a Mahler article Swarowsky wrote, mentions that his Schoenberg book has just been translated into Japanese and offers to review Swarowsky's recordings for the Neue Zuercher Zeitung, signing off as his 'old and commensurately senile friend'.
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Vienna State Opera Fidelio 1973
This performance was dedicated to celebrate Swarowsky's 75th birthday:
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Tokyo 1973
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Leipzig 1972
In this note from September 1972, the administration of the Leipzig Gewandhaus congratulates Swarowsky to the high critical acclaim for his last concert with the Gewandhaus Orchestra, and enquires his availability for the 1974/75 season for a concert with a planned program of Mathis the Painter and Bruckners symphony No. 7: Swarowsky conducted a program with Mathis the Painter and Bruckners symphony No. 5 on December 5 and 6, 1974
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With Bruno Kreisky in 1972
Together with Austrian Chancellor Bruno Kreisky in 1972
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With Daniela and Gloria in 1972
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Komische Oper Berlin 1972
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Ossiach 1972
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With Emil Gilels in Ossiach 1972
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Andre Previn letter 1972
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Gewandhaus Orchestra 1972
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Menuhin letter July 1971
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Portrait 1970s
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Menuhin letter 1970
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Palestrina, Vienna State Opera 1970
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Portrait around 1970
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Gottfried von Einem, postcard 1969
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In Prague around 1968
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Conducting course Orkney Springs 1967
The League of American Orchestras organised a conducting masterclass in 1967, and invited for the first time Hans Swarowsky:
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With Henryk Szeryng
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With daughters Daniela and Gloria
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With Abbado, Kreisky and Milstein
From left to right: Swarowsky, Claudio Abbado, Bruno Kreisky (Austrian Chancelor), and Nathan Milstein:
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In rehearsal around 1965
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Mozart's Solfeggi (Universal Edition)
Swarowsky's proof copy of his edition (Universal Edition) of Mozart's "Solfeggi", the little-known singing exercises for his wife Constanze, with Swarowsky’s correction markings (also the Italian text)
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Montreal November 1965
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With Doris and Daniela
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Mahler 3 in Los Angeles
Zubin Mehta invited Hans Swarowsky to conduct Mahler's 3rd symphony with the LA Philharmonic Orchestra in February 1965:
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Los Angeles, July 1965
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Don Carlo, Vienna State Opera 1965
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Creation November 1963
This performance of Haydn's Creation was a gala concert at the Vienna Konzerthaus to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Vienna Music Academy (now University)
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Portrait 1963
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Rostropovich, Vienna 1962
With Mstislav Rostropovich and the Niederösterreichische Tonkünstler at the Vienna Musikverein on 3.6.1962. On the programm:
Dvorak Cello Concerto
Tchaikovsky Rococco Variations
Shostakovich Cello Concerto No. 1
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Letter Jaroslav Weinberger 1961
Visitimg Vienna, Weinberger is writing to Swarowsky asking if it's possible to meet:
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With Wilhelm Backhaus in 1961
Wilhelm Backhaus was awarded on this occasion the prestigious Beethoven ring:
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Swarowsky private library in 1961
Hans Swarowsky in his private library, which also containted several thousand items of first editions:
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London 1960s
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With Alma Mahler in Vienna 1960
Swarowsky conducted Mahler's 3rd Symphony for the composers 100th birthday in 1960, and also met again Alma Mahler, who came to Vienna specifically for that occasion. They knew each other since the 1920s, having met in Swarowskys sister Gina Kauss's literary salons.
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Portrait Hans Swarowsky
This is one of several photos taken by Swarosky's son Anton.
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Letter Mali Pfitzner
Mali Pfitzner, the widow of Hans Pfitzner, thanks in this letter Swarowsky having conducted a performance of Palestrina without rehearsal. 'Finally there is someone in Vienna who can conduct Palestrina'.
Mali refers to two performences of the cantata she heard with Keilberth in Munich and how much she enjoys being in Vienna. The last time apparently was together with Swarowsky in the air-raid shelter of the hotel Imperial in May 1945.
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Louise Zemlinsky letter
A letter from Louise Zemlinsky, the widow of the composer...
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Mahler III, Vienna Symphony Orchestra 1957
Swarowsky's breaktrough performance of Mahler's 3rd symphony (the first performance in Vienna since 1946) with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra in the 'New Music' series of the Vienna Konzerthaus. It's significant that the concert was put on in the Mozart Saal, seemingly in anticipation of a low audience turn out.
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Das Lied von der Erde, London Philharmonic Orchestra 1957
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Lecturing at the Vienna Academy of Music
Swarowsky's class at the Vienna Music Academy in the Lothringerstrasse
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With George Szell and Gottfried von Einem
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Recording sessions Don Giovanni
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Der Rosenkavalier, Teatro di San Carlo 1951
In 1951, Swarowsky conducted a production of Rosenkavalier in Italian at the Teatro San Carlo, with Giulietta Simionato as Ottavio.
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Milano 1950s
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With Robbins Landon in 1950
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Swarowsky with his students
Hans Swarowsky with a group of his students (among others Zubin Mehta and Claudio Abbado)
at a 'Heuriger' in Vienna:
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Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Musikverein 1946
The Vienna Symphony Orchestra's first concert in the 1946 subscription series:
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Vienna Symphony contract 1946
Swarowsky's contract with the Municipality of Vienna...
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Rosenkavalier Salzburg 1946
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Richard Strauss photographed by Swarowsky
Hans Swarowsky was an avid photographer, at some point also president of the German Leica association.
He took these two pictures in Baden near Zürich during one of Strauss's frequent visits.
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Julius Marx, letter 1946
In his letter to the Allied Forces, Julius Marx confirms that Swarowsky was working for the Allies during the war and that the messages he sent without consideration for his personal risk where of utmost importance, both politically and militarily:
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With Richard and Franz Strauss in Garmisch May 45
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With Richard Strauss in Garmisch May 45
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British Vize Consul 1945
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Swarowsky's list of supported people in Cracow
On this sheet, Swarowsky listed the names of all players of the Philharmonic Orchestra in Cracow, who he has supported. His handwritten note reads: List of furntiture I procured for members of the Philharmonic Orchestra:
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Renowned father located by son
After coming to Germany with the US Army, Anton Swarosky located his father in a villa in Pöcking, where he was, presumably with the help of Richard Strauss, hiding from the Gestapo during the last months of the war. This incident was reported in a publication of the US Army:
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In Pöcking with Maria in 1945
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Krakow: September 5 and 6, 1944
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With Richard Strauss in Salzburg
This picture with Richard Strauss in Salzburg dates possibly from the period of the 'Danae' rehearsals in 1944:
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Program Dress rehearsal Danae 1944
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Salzburg Summer 1944
An announcement about the cancellation of the Salzburg theatre and music summer in 1944 due to the events of 20th July:
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Die Liebe der Danae Salzburg 1944: annotated program
Swarowsky annotated copy of the program for the dress rehearsal of Die Liebe der Danae in Salzburg.
The opening night was cancelled on Hitler's orders due to the events of 20th July:
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Rehearsal schedule Danae 18 July 1944
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Conducting a concert in Krakow
The concerts were often visited by soldiers and had "a very tragic undertone, thousands of soldiers listened to music for the last time in their lives. It has always been frightening when departing troops came to a concert in closed groups ... "(Swarowsky).
It's noteworthy that Swarowsky managed on several occasions to have all official Nazi signs removed from the concert hall and also programs. He also conducted concerts (illegally) for Polish audiences.
Swarowsky conducted the last concert in Krakow on 14th January, two days before taking the last train ouf Krakow together with the Pfitzner family. The Red Army occupies Krakow on the 17th.
Swarowsky conducted the last concert in Krakow on 14th January, two days before taking the last train ouf Krakow together with the Pfitzner family. The Red Army occupies Krakow on the 17th.
The solo part on this occasion is played by concertmaster Fritz Sonleitner.
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Krakow: Ariadne, 24 06 1944
This performance of Ariadne was part of a series of concerts to celebrate Strauss's 80th birthday. Krakow was besides Vienna the only city to host such events:
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First concert in Krakow: March 9, 1944
Dr Hans Franck (governor-general of the occupied parts of Poland in Silesia and Galicia) wanted to set up a cultural establishment in Krakow from the status of Vienna or Berlin and was looking for suitable conductors:
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Conducting course with Clemens Krauss in Salzburg
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Program notes Krauss Salzburg 1943
Hans Swarowksy's program notes to an all Johann Strauss concert with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra,
conducted by Clemens Krauss:
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Arabella Salzburg 1943
Being appointed dramaturge in Salzburg in April 1943, Hans Swarowsky wrote the notes to this production of Arabella:
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Salzburg program Georgescu
Hans Swarowsky wrote the concert program for this concert conducted by Roumanian conductor George Georgescu. Presumably Swarowsky met Georgescu for the first time during his time as repetiteur at the Bucharest opera in the 1920s:
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Professor title deed
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Theater Zurich, March 1939
The Swiss immigration police - obeying an entirely "xenophobic" policy - orders the termination of Swarowsky's contract...
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Portrait Zürich 1939
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Strauss and Krauss 1939
A photo of Richard Strauss and Clemens Krauss with a double dedication to Swarowsky from 1939:
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Portrait Zürich 1939
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Salome with Strauss Zurich 1938
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With Clemens Krauss in Berlin
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With Mengelberg and Strauss in Amsterdam
Hans Swarowsky conducted a series of performances of Arabella in Amsterdam in 1936. Richard Strauss was present during the rehearsals and conducted also the opening night.
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Portrait around 1935
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With Strauss, Jochum and Director Kehm in Hamburg 1934
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Reference Kehm 1931
General Director Kehm's reference for Swarowsky in 1931:
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Portrait 1931
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With Furtwägnler around 1930
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Mahler 3 with Mahler's notes
In April 1920, Swarowsky hears Mahler’s third symphony for the first time (conducted by Furtwängler) and due to this impression decides to become a conductor – this symphony should take a special place throughout his entire life; for his 21st birthday, Julia Laszky acquires an Edition of Mahler’s 3rd symphony from Universal Edition as a birthday present; Swarowsky will conduct from this score throughout the rest of his life. This score (first edition) contains corrections Mahler made after performances conducted by himself.
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Postcard with dedication from Kienzl
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Dr Josef Kranz ca 1925
Leopoldine Swarowsky (1881 – 1970, daughter of a Viennese Police Inspector and actress at the Vienna Volkstheater) gives birth out of wedlock to Hans, and relocates, as customary at the time in such circumstances, for several months to Budapest. There is no definite clarity about the father: most likely it is Dr. Josef Kranz (1862 - 1934). Dr Josef Kranz, banker and industrialist stemming from a Polish rabbi
family in Ausschwitz, becomes over the course of just a few years one of
the richest men in the Austrian Monarchy (according to a bonmot of the
day, the two most influential people in the Monarchy were Franz Josef
and Kranz Josef)...
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Swarowsky & Schoenberg
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Pelleas et Melisande, studied with Schoenberg and Webern
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Bucharest 1923, Tosca
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Bucharest 1923, Walküre
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Bucharest 1923, Flying Dutchman
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Swarowsky & Schoenberg
This postcard was used as invitation to Schoenberg's 'private society' concerts:
Swarowsky had private lessons with Schoenberg since hearing Schoenberg in rehearsals of the Gurre - Lieder in 1920, subsequently Swarowsky also took part in Schoenberg's 'society' concerts, playing piano and harmonium.
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Gurre Lieder annotated
Swarowsky's own score of Schoenberg's Gurre Lieder...
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School grades 1917
Having been recruited to the Austro - Hungarian Army in WWI, Hans Swarowsky had to do his final exams in secondary school early in the year as so called 'emergency A-levels (Notmatura), bevor being sent to war in Italy.
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Franz Schalk 1911
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Mozart Festival Salzburg 1910
Hans Swarowsky attended the Salzburg Mozart Festival in 1910...
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Weingartner 1910
Swarowsky heard Beethoven's Ninth for the first time at this festival concert in 1910, celebrating the 50th anniversaty of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra's subscription series. Felix Weingartner became Swarowsky's teacher from 1920 onwards and tt's
thanks to Weingartner that Swarowsky got his employment at the Vienna
Volksoper in 1922.
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Franz Schalk with Pablo Casals in 1910
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Franz Schalk 1910
Franz Schalk became one of Swarowsky's teachers from 1920 onwards:
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Haydn 100 Memorial 1909
Hans Swarowsky attended these Haydn memorial concerts in 1909 (at the age of 10):
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Johann Strauss Memorial Concert 1909
Hans Swarowsky attended this concert, a memorial event organised by the Johann Strauss Memorial Committee at the Vienna Musikverein in 1909.
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Around 1909
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Around 1905
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Beethoven 9 analysis
A sample of Swarowsky's handwritten notes analyzing a piece, in this instance the 4th movement of Beethoven's 9th symphony.
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Un ballo in maschera
An excerpt of Swarowsky's score of Un ballo in maschera:
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Capriccio annotated
Swarowsky's score of Capriccio with annotations:
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Bruckner 9 with annotations from Schalk
In this score of Bruckner's 9th symphony, Swarowsky noted...
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Pelleas et Melisande, studied with Schoenberg and Webern
On this sample page of Swarowsky's score...
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Don Quixote score annotated
Swarowsky's score of Don Quixote:
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Don Juan Score, studied with Strauss
This is a sample page of Swarowsky's score of Don Juan...
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Brecht letter
In this letter, Bertolt Brecht...