Lithuanian composer, conductor, pedagogue and cultural figure.
Since 1918 studied in Ylakiai (Skuoda district), where in 1924 finished four classes of pro-gymnasium. 1924-1929 He studied trombone, special harmony, polyphony and composition at the Klaipėda Music School-Conservatory (teachers A. Johowas, J. Gaubas, J. Žilevičius, etc.).
While studying, he played in various ensembles, sang in the school's men's choir, led the choirs of the Klaipėda Region Singers' Society. During the summer holidays, he traveled around the villages and wrote down Lithuanian folk songs, collected folk instruments, led the choir of Ylakiai song lovers, and worked in the archive of J. Žilevičius. After graduating, he taught trombone and other wind instruments at the conservatory. After closing the school-conservatory, he went to Kaunas.
Settled in Kaunas, 1930-1935. played trombone in the State Theater and the Kaunas Radiophone Symphony Orchestras. in 1933 organized the Kaunas Youth Wind Orchestra, 1935-1940 was a music and singing teacher at the "Aušras" boys' gymnasium, led the boys' choir, wind orchestra, and scarf ensemble.
Since 1936 At the Kaunas Conservatory, he taught the disciplines of trombone and tuba, and later music pedagogy and methodology. Actively participated in the activities of the Lithuanian Society of Musicians, was a member of the board of the Music Teachers' Section, in 1939 was elected second secretary at the association's convention in Vilnius. Wrote in "Muzikos bars" and periodicals. During the German occupation, he played in the Kaunas Young Spectator's Theater and was the leader of the music section.
During the Soviet era, after the founding of the Lithuanian State Philharmonic, in 1940 organized the State Song and Dance Folk Ensemble and was its artistic director and manager with a break (until 1962). the conductor The ensemble created many original programs, successfully performed in 1954. During the decade of Lithuanian literature and art in Moscow (after the decade, the ensemble was awarded the title of meritorious collective), they held many concerts in Lithuanian cities and towns, performed in Latvia, Estonia, Central Asian republics, Poland and Romania.
J. Švedas is also known as a pedagogue who trained a group of instrumentalists, who contributed a lot to the improvement of Lithuanian folk instruments and their popularization. in 1945 At the Vilnius Conservatory (since 1949 the Lithuanian State Conservatory) he established the Department of Lithuanian Folk Instruments and until 1970 was its leader, lecturer, docent and professor (1967).
He wrote theoretical and methodological works and many articles in the press. Together with Juoz Banaičius, he wrote music textbooks for secondary schools: "Music" (for classes I-II, 1938, for class III, 1939, for classes I-II-III, 1939, for classes IV-V, 1940) . The composer created and harmonized about 300 Lithuanian folk songs for choirs, wrote large vocal and instrumental works.
Conducted several hundred concerts until 1970. was the leader of all republican song festivals and choirs of the post-war years. conductor, chairman or member of the jury of amateur art inspections and choir competitions, member and consultant of art commissions for republican song festivals, chairman and member of state examination commissions. He was a member of the Lithuanian Composers' Union, elected to the board several times.
1951-1955 Deputy of the Supreme Council of the Lithuanian SSR. in 1945 awarded the honorary title of Lithuanian meritorious artist, 1950 awarded the Stalin Prize of the third degree, 1954 awarded the honorary title of People's Artist of the Soviet Union. in 1973 The Panevėžys Music School was named after Jonas Švedas, and the J. Švedas Prize was established.
in 1979 published by Prof. Dr. The book "Jonas Švedas" prepared by Algirdas Vyžintas.
