Hans Schwieger, 93, of Naples, Fla.,who was the Fort Wayne Philharmonic's first conductor, died Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2000, in Naples.
The Cologne, Germany, native led the orchestra from 1944 to 1948. He is credited with welding a professional orchestra from a mix of amateur and professional musicians who had been playing with other groups.
"It was terrible before he came," recalls violinist Agnes Nelson, who played for Schwieger. "He was very knowledgeable and worked very well with the musicians. He made the Philharmonic work."
Under Schwieger's baton, the 75-member orchestra made its debut on Oct. 18, 1944, at the old Palace Theatre. Schwieger conducted a program of works by Bizet, Schubert, Wagner and Liszt. The News-Sentinel's reviewer, Walter Hansen, noted that Schwieger conducted the entire program from memory, and that both he and the orchestra received an ovation from the large audience.
Schwieger left Fort Wayne in 1948 to direct the Kansas City Philharmonic, where he remained through 1971. He emigrated to America in 1938, fleeing the Nazi regime. He had been one of the top young conductors in Germany. In America, Schwieger also conducted the NBC orchestra and the San Francisco Opera and was listed in "Who's Who in America" and "Who's Who in Music." Schwieger returned to Fort Wayne in 1994 to take part in the Philharmonic's 50th anniversary celebration.
Surviving are his wife, Mary, and two brothers in Germany. Services will be private. Memorials are to the donor's choice.
Information provided by Hodges Funeral Chapel, Naples, Fla., 1-941-261-1237.
Published in the February 4, 2000 edition of the Fort Wayne (IN) News-Sentinel
The Cologne, Germany, native led the orchestra from 1944 to 1948. He is credited with welding a professional orchestra from a mix of amateur and professional musicians who had been playing with other groups.
"It was terrible before he came," recalls violinist Agnes Nelson, who played for Schwieger. "He was very knowledgeable and worked very well with the musicians. He made the Philharmonic work."
Under Schwieger's baton, the 75-member orchestra made its debut on Oct. 18, 1944, at the old Palace Theatre. Schwieger conducted a program of works by Bizet, Schubert, Wagner and Liszt. The News-Sentinel's reviewer, Walter Hansen, noted that Schwieger conducted the entire program from memory, and that both he and the orchestra received an ovation from the large audience.
Schwieger left Fort Wayne in 1948 to direct the Kansas City Philharmonic, where he remained through 1971. He emigrated to America in 1938, fleeing the Nazi regime. He had been one of the top young conductors in Germany. In America, Schwieger also conducted the NBC orchestra and the San Francisco Opera and was listed in "Who's Who in America" and "Who's Who in Music." Schwieger returned to Fort Wayne in 1994 to take part in the Philharmonic's 50th anniversary celebration.
Surviving are his wife, Mary, and two brothers in Germany. Services will be private. Memorials are to the donor's choice.
Information provided by Hodges Funeral Chapel, Naples, Fla., 1-941-261-1237.
Published in the February 4, 2000 edition of the Fort Wayne (IN) News-Sentinel
Hans Schwieger, 93, of Naples, Fla.,who was the Fort Wayne Philharmonic's first conductor, died Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2000, in Naples.
The Cologne, Germany, native led the orchestra from 1944 to 1948. He is credited with welding a professional orchestra from a mix of amateur and professional musicians who had been playing with other groups.
"It was terrible before he came," recalls violinist Agnes Nelson, who played for Schwieger. "He was very knowledgeable and worked very well with the musicians. He made the Philharmonic work."
Under Schwieger's baton, the 75-member orchestra made its debut on Oct. 18, 1944, at the old Palace Theatre. Schwieger conducted a program of works by Bizet, Schubert, Wagner and Liszt. The News-Sentinel's reviewer, Walter Hansen, noted that Schwieger conducted the entire program from memory, and that both he and the orchestra received an ovation from the large audience.
Schwieger left Fort Wayne in 1948 to direct the Kansas City Philharmonic, where he remained through 1971. He emigrated to America in 1938, fleeing the Nazi regime. He had been one of the top young conductors in Germany. In America, Schwieger also conducted the NBC orchestra and the San Francisco Opera and was listed in "Who's Who in America" and "Who's Who in Music." Schwieger returned to Fort Wayne in 1994 to take part in the Philharmonic's 50th anniversary celebration.
Surviving are his wife, Mary, and two brothers in Germany. Services will be private. Memorials are to the donor's choice.
Information provided by Hodges Funeral Chapel, Naples, Fla., 1-941-261-1237.
Published in the February 4, 2000 edition of the Fort Wayne (IN) News-Sentinel
The Cologne, Germany, native led the orchestra from 1944 to 1948. He is credited with welding a professional orchestra from a mix of amateur and professional musicians who had been playing with other groups.
"It was terrible before he came," recalls violinist Agnes Nelson, who played for Schwieger. "He was very knowledgeable and worked very well with the musicians. He made the Philharmonic work."
Under Schwieger's baton, the 75-member orchestra made its debut on Oct. 18, 1944, at the old Palace Theatre. Schwieger conducted a program of works by Bizet, Schubert, Wagner and Liszt. The News-Sentinel's reviewer, Walter Hansen, noted that Schwieger conducted the entire program from memory, and that both he and the orchestra received an ovation from the large audience.
Schwieger left Fort Wayne in 1948 to direct the Kansas City Philharmonic, where he remained through 1971. He emigrated to America in 1938, fleeing the Nazi regime. He had been one of the top young conductors in Germany. In America, Schwieger also conducted the NBC orchestra and the San Francisco Opera and was listed in "Who's Who in America" and "Who's Who in Music." Schwieger returned to Fort Wayne in 1994 to take part in the Philharmonic's 50th anniversary celebration.
Surviving are his wife, Mary, and two brothers in Germany. Services will be private. Memorials are to the donor's choice.
Information provided by Hodges Funeral Chapel, Naples, Fla., 1-941-261-1237.
Published in the February 4, 2000 edition of the Fort Wayne (IN) News-Sentinel
Gravesite Details
There are no records of Dr. Schwieger or his wife Mary being interred in Naples Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
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