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JOSEPH SWENSEN

Conductor

Composer

"Swensen was like a magician wielding his arms and cajoling the notes from his musicians"

Seen and heard international

Photo by Lukasz Rajchert

Upcoming Concerts

  • Fidelio
    Fidelio
    Fri 16 May
    Grand-Théâtre Opéra National de Bordeaux
    16 May 2025, 19:00
    Grand-Théâtre Opéra National de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
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  • Fidelio
    Fidelio
    Mon 19 May
    Grand-Théâtre Opéra National de Bordeaux
    19 May 2025, 20:00
    Grand-Théâtre Opéra National de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
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  • Fidelio
    Fidelio
    Wed 21 May
    Grand-Théâtre Opéra National de Bordeaux
    21 May 2025, 20:00
    Grand-Théâtre Opéra National de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
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  • Fidelio
    Fidelio
    Fri 23 May
    Grand-Théâtre Opéra National de Bordeaux
    23 May 2025, 20:00
    Grand-Théâtre Opéra National de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
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  • Mozart
    Mozart
    Fri 30 May
    Granada Auditorio Manuel de Falla, Spain
    30 May 2025, 19:30
    Granada Auditorio Manuel de Falla, Spain, Granada, Spain
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  • Debussy and Ravel
    Debussy and Ravel
    Fri 13 Jun
    L'Auditorium de Bordeaux, France
    13 Jun 2025, 19:00
    L'Auditorium de Bordeaux, France, Bordeaux, France
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  • A New World
    A New World
    Fri 20 Jun
    Auditorio de Tenerife, Spain
    20 Jun 2025, 19:00
    Auditorio de Tenerife, Spain, Tenerife, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
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About Joseph Swensen

  • Music Director designate (from 2024-25), Orchestre National de Bordeaux Aquitaine

  • Principal Guest Conductor, the Orquesta Ciudad de Granada

  • Principal Guest Conductor, NFM Leopoldinum Orchestra, Wrocław

  • Conductor Emeritus, Scottish Chamber orchestra

Characterised by the strength of the bonds forged through long-lasting and loyal relationships with numerous orchestras and their audiences, Joseph Swensen's activity as a conductor extends throughout Europe and beyond, without regard to geographical or cultural borders. Praised by critics in particular for his interpretations of the great romantic repertoire such as Mahler, Bruckner and Sibelius, he is also a musical explorer who ventures into much more experimental terrain when working with smaller ensembles, and whose programmes regularly include 21st century composers alongside works from the classical period.​

The result of an exceptional musical encounter and a relationship that has developed over the last decade, Joseph Swensen will take up his new position as Music Director of the Orchestre National de Bordeaux Aquitaine at the start of the 2024-25 season. 

JS ©Kaupo Kikkas.jpeg

“A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.” 

Lao Tzu 

Joseph Swensen conducts Sibelius Symphony No. 6, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra Feb 2023

Joseph Swensen conducts Sibelius Symphony No. 7, Estonian National Symphony Orchestra Feb 2023

Joseph Swensen conducts Beethoven's 4th Symphony, NFM Leopoldinum Orchestra Nov 2018

"Swensen provided two thought-provoking bookends to the two concertos, with the SCO on blistering form. His opening Sibelius Pelleas and Melisande was dark, sonorous and gutsy, brilliantly alive to each movement’s often surreal picture painting. His closing Beethoven Eighth Symphony – so brisk it seemed over in a flash – crackled with glee – and it’s not often you see a conductor having so much sheer fun on the podium."

David Kettle, The Scotsman

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Contact

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General Management Worldwide

Victoria Rowsell Artist Management

Aude-Marie Auphan

+44 (0)20 7701 3219

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©2021 Joseph Swensen. All rights reserved. Designed by Ken Fairbrother

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