Hans Swarowsky - the name has featured for soooo many years as the conductor of such pseudonymous orchestras as the Bamberg Philharmonic, Philharmonia Slavonica, South German Philharmonic and London Festival Orchestra (the last not to be confused with Ross Pople's REAL orchestra.) Many have thought Maestro Swarowsky to in fact be a pseudonym but he was very real but unfortunately his name has been used as a rather scurriously to hide the real identities of other conductors...my, this is getting tooooo confusing!
The fact is that Swarowsky was one of the leading conducting teachers of the last century and his students have included Zubin Mehta and I believe Claudio Abbado. He was the Jorma Panula of his day and well regarded by his pupils for his insight, musicianship and broad repertoire. I heard years ago Mehta positively gush over Swarowsky during an on air interview.
Here is a real Swarowsky recording and it is a highly dramatic reading of Haydn's Nelson Mass, transferred from a Nonesuch LP. Haydn's masses are magnificent choral works and in the right hands, THE RIGHT HANDS, there is little that can better them for melody, spiritual meaning and inspiration. Listen to this recording and you will understand why Mozart referred to Haydn as "Papa"...the ultimate compliment!
This is big band and big choral Haydn. Those approaching this recording through John Elliot Gardiner glasses might be in for a seismic shock. However, the message and strong interpretation make them a vital statement for our times. At least I think so.....
