Hans Vollenweider (Organ)

Born: 1918 - Switzerland
Died: 1993

The Swiss organist, Hans Vollenweider, was brought up in an artistic atmosphere, his father being a well known painter and publisher. He commenced his organ studies when he was 15 with Victor Schlatter and Ernst Isler. In 1936 he took his first organ post at the local church, whilst studying at the Music Academy, Zürich. Three years later he graduated from the Academy with great success and after some recital work studied with Karl Matthaei, a pupil of the great organ virtuoso Karl Straube.

In 1943, at the age of 25, Hans Vollenweider took an appointment as church organist in Zürich and soon began to travel extensively both as a virtuoso and as a teacher. He was ranked among the leading organists in Europe. His travels have frequently brought him to this country and in 1961 he went to Michigan University, USA, to hold master-classes. He broadcast and recorded extensively; and divided his time more or less equally between the harpsichord and the organ, and composing - mainly choral and chamber works.. He also held a teaching post in Organ and Harpsichord at the Zürich Music Academy.

Hans Vollenweider’s son, Andreas Vollenweider (b 1953), is a popular Swiss composer and instrumentalist.

Source: Liner notes to the LP “Hans Vollenweider plays Bach Organ Music” (HMV Classics Series SXLP-20105, c1960)
Contributed by Shaun Montgomery (July 2010)

Hans Vollenweider: Short Biography | Recordings of Instrumental Works

Links to other Sites