GUADAGNINI VIOLIN SHOP

Biography of Robert Swan

Robert Swan was appointed to the viola section of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra by Sir Georg Solti in 1972.

Robert Swan was Professor of Viola at Northwestern University from 1972-1980, and remains as the university's chamber music coach. He is Principal viola of Chicago's Music of the Baroque and a founding member of the Evanston Chamber Ensemble, was a member of the Eckstein String Quartet, and has been a guest artist with the Fine Arts Quartet, the Vermeer Quartet, the Chicago Chamber Musicians, and the Rembrandt Chamber Players.

A native of Connecticut, Robert studied viola with David Dawson at Indiana University, where he earned both bachelor's and master's degrees as well as a performer's certificate. While at Indiana, he studied chamber music with William Primrose, Josef Gingold, Janos Starker, György Sebök, and Menahem Pressler.

He recently retired from the CSO and spends most of his time in Michigan enjoying a traffic-free life.