Schwarz, Gerard
Maestro Schwarz is the former Musical Director of the Seattle Symphony. As Music Director of the New York Chamber Symphony, Maestro Schwarz expanded the orchestra’s programming from a few concerts annually to a full schedule of New York appearances, plus tours and recordings.
In 1983, Maestro Schwarz came to the Seattle Symphony as Music Advisor. The following year he was appointed Principal Conductor and since 1985 has held the post of Music Director. In his twelve years here, he has initiated several concert series, has lead award-winning recordings and has introduced many new works to the Seattle Symphony’s repertoire.
Maestro Schwarz has also served as Music Director of New York’s Mostly Mozart Festival, where he had spent his summers since 1982. During his tenure with the Mostly Mozart Festival, Maestro Schwarz had conducted a large repertoire, including many early Mozart operas in concert form. He’s led the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra in debuts at Tanlgewood and Ravinia festivals. For five years he and the Orchestra presented the Mostly Mozart Festival in Tokyo at Tokyu Bunkamura’s Orchard Hall immediately following the New York season.
Further expanding his relationship with Tokyu Bunkamura, in January 1994, maestro Schwarz became Artistic Advisor to Tokyu Bunkamura’s Orchard Hall, conducting six programs annually with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.
Maestro Schwarz has guest conducted major orchestras throughout North America and Europe. In September 1995 he debuted with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra at the International Music Festival “Prague Autumn.”
Gerard Schwarz was named 1994 “Conductor of the Year” by Musical America International Directory of the Performing Arts. In 1989 he received the Ditson Conductor’s Award from Columbia University. A graduate of the Juilliard School, Gerard Schwarz has received honorary Doctorates from Fairleigh Dickinson University, the University of Puget Sound, and Seattle University. As Music Director of the New York Chamber Symphony, Maestro Schwarz expanded the orchestra’s programming from a few concerts annually to a full schedule of New York appearances, plus tours and recordings.
Gerard Schwarz has guest conducted major orchestras throughout North America and Europe. In September 1995 he debuted with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra at the International Music Festival “Prague Autumn.”
