Lucerne Symphony Orchestra Extends Principal Conductor Contract

Michael Sanderling will continue his role for an additional three years

Appointed principal conductor of the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra in the 2021/22 season on an initial five-year contract, Michael Sanderling will continue in the role in advance for a further three years. 

His new extended contract will see him lead the orchestra and its artistic planning from the 2026/27 season until and including the 2028/29 season.

As a guest conductor, Sanderling has directed orchestras including the Berlin Philharmonic, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Orchestre de Paris, NHK Symphony Orchestra, Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, Wiener Symphoniker, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and more. 

From 2011 to 2019, he was chief conductor of the Dresden Philharmonic and held the same role at Kammerakademie Potsdam, where he was also artistic director from 2006 to 2011. 

Additionally, he teaches at the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts and works regularly with the Schleswig-Holstein Festival Orchestra. 

With the Lucerne Symphony, he has led guest appearances at the Konzerthaus and Musikverein in Vienna, the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, and leading festivals throughout Europe, including the recent Dvořák Festival in Prague.

“Over the last three seasons under Michael Sanderling, we have been able to realize some valuable achievements,” said Lucerne Symphony’s artistic director, Numa Bischof Ullmann in the press release. “As the orchestra has grown in size, the emphasis on late Romantic repertoire has expanded to include works by Bruckner, Mahler and Strauss. Our Brahms cycle, which was recorded for Warner Classics, received a very positive response. Successful tours in South America — where the Luzerner Sinfonieorchester was praised by critics as the best guest performer of 2023 — and in Asia are testament to its global reach.”

“Working with this outstanding ensemble has been absolutely invaluable to me over the past few years, both musically and personally,” Sanderling expressed. “The Luzerner Sinfonieorchester is characterized not only by its musical excellence and international appeal, but also by its passionate commitment to the local community. The artistic depth and dedication with which we make music together touches me afresh every time. 

“We have created many unforgettable musical moments over the past few years and I look forward with anticipation to the years to come, in which we will continue our journey and explore new musical horizons together,” he continued. “My special thanks go to the entire orchestra, the management team led by our Intendant, Numa Bischof Ullmann, and our loyal audience in Lucerne, who are a constant source of inspiration and support. It is an honor for me to be part of this great musical family, and I look forward to the challenges and successes that lie ahead of us in the future.”

Founded in 1805, the Luzerner Sinfonieorchester is the oldest symphony orchestra in Switzerland and involves around 80 musicians from over 20 countries. Among its guest soloists have included Martha Argerich, Maria João Pires, Evgeny Kissin, Mikhail Pletnev, Kirill Gerstein, Janine Jansen, Anastasia Kobekina, Kian Soltani, and Gautier Capuçon.