Frederick Swann
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Frederick Swann | |
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| Born | 1934 |
| Occupation | Organist, President of American Guild of Organists |
Frederick Swann (born 1934) is a prominent American concert organist and President of the American Guild of Organists (AGO). During the past 60 years, he has performed on most of the well-known and largest pipe organs in the world and made numerous compact disc recordings.
He is formerly organist at the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, California (1998-2001) and, prior to that, both organist and music director at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California (1982-1998) and the Riverside Church in New York City. During his tenure at the Crystal Cathedral, Swann was widely regarded as the most visible organist in the world, as millions in every major city in more than 165 countries worldwide saw and heard him on the weekly televised services.
The son of a Methodist minister, he began playing the organ in church as a 10-year old, subsequently obtaining degrees in music from Northwestern University and the old School of Sacred Music at the Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York. In 1957, he was appointed sub-organist at the Riverside Church in New York under the legendary Virgil Fox. In 1965, he succeeded Fox as organist and was soon appointed director of music as well, remaining in that post through 1982.
As an internationally recognized performer, he frequently performs concerts throughout North America, Europe and the Far East. In one recent season, Mr. Swann performed more than 40 recitals throughout North America and in two European tours, including special appearances at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, St. Paul's Cathedral in London; and Passau Cathedral in Germany.
Widely known for dedicating new instruments, Mr. Swann was chosen in 2004 to inaugurate the organ at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and also was soloist with the San Francisco Symphony for the opening of the new organ in Davies Symphony Hall.
His published works include Let the Whole Creation Cry and organ arrangements of familiar hymns such as Amazing Grace, How Great Thou Art, Fairest Lord Jesus and O God Our Help in Ages Past.
Frederick Swann now lives in Palm Desert, California, where he is Organ Artist-in-residence at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church.
