He is known for his work with symphonic orchestras in the United States, China, Germany and Austria, and for introducing modern American music to European audiences.
[4] Sternberg's conducting debut took place on December 7, 1941 at the helm of the National Youth Administration Symphony Orchestra.
[2] Shortly thereafter he entered military service in the US Army,[5] and at the end of the war he became conductor of the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra.
[6] After returning to the US he traveled to Austria, where in 1947 he made his debut conducting the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.
Around this time Sternberg collaborated with H.C. Robbins Landon, assisting in the search for music manuscripts all over Europe.