Finding Aid for Robert H. Swenson Papers, 1937-1980 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Title: Robert H. Swenson Papers, 1937-1980

ID: 12/5/30

Primary Creator: Swenson, Robert H. (1910-1996)

Extent: 0.25 cubic feet

Arrangement: Materials are arranged in a chronological order.

Date Acquired: 10/05/1999

Subjects: Contemporary Arts Festival, Faculty, Faculty Papers, Music, School of, Music Competitions, Stringed Instruments, Walden Quartet

Formats/Genres: Concert Programs, Correspondence, Papers

Languages: English

Consists of concert programs, press release, correspondence and score, documenting the work of Robert H. Swenson (1910-1996), who was a Professor of Music (1934-79) and cellist with the Walden String Quartet.

Robert Hammond Swenson (1910-1936) was born in Cresco, Iowa. He received a degree in cello performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where he taught from 1931 until 1946. Swenson also performed as the assistant first cellist with the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra during this time. He joined the University of Illinois in 1947. While a faculty member, Swenson performed with the Walden String Quartet, the Champaign-Urbana Symphony, and the Chautauqua Symphony. He premiered several works for cello, including Gordon Binkerd's Sonata for Cello and Piano, and works for string quartet, including Elliot Carter's String Quartet No. 1. In 1958, Swenson joined the Stanley Quartet of the University of Michigan for its tour of Brazil and Uruguay.

In 1970 Swenson married Lucille Ziroli. He retired from the University of Illinois in 1979. The following year he earned an honory doctorate from Northland College. Swenson died in Urbana, Illinois on November 24, 1996.

Contemporary Arts Festival
Faculty
Faculty Papers
Music, School of
Music Competitions
Stringed Instruments
Walden Quartet