Joseph's Chair is kindly supported by Donald and Louise MacDonald
Are you interested in sponsoring a Chair?

Characterised by the strength of the bonds forged through long-lasting relationships with numerous orchestras and their audiences, Joseph Swensen's activity as a conductor extends throughout Europe and beyond. 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 whose programmes regularly include 21st century composers alongside works from the classical period.

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. He is also Principal Guest Conductor of the Orquesta Ciudad de Granada in Spain, and from the 2023-24 season, he will be Principal Guest Conductor of the NFM Leopoldinum Orchestra in Wrocław, after his six-year tenure as Artistic Director. He also holds the title of Conductor Emeritus of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, and was previously Principal Guest Conductor and Artistic Advisor to the Orchestre de Chambre de Paris (2009-2012), and Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales (2000-2003). Active in the field of opera, he was also Music Director of the Malmö Opera (2005-2011). Joseph Swensen also appears as a guest-conductor with numerous orchestras, including the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Symphony Orchestra in Australia, Orquesta Sinfónica de Tenerife, Turku Philharmonic Orchestra and Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse.

A multifaceted musician, Joseph Swensen is an active composer and orchestrator; most recently creating “The Ring Odyssey” based, a musical journey through all four operas of Wagner’s Ring Cycle in one evening for soprano, tenor and orchestra, which premiered in Toulouse in May 2023. A sought-after pedagogue, Joseph Swensen has been visiting professor of conducting, violin and chamber music at the Royal Scottish Conservatory in Glasgow and the Jacob Music School at Indiana University in the USA.

Photo credit: Ugo Ponte