Michael Sanderling

The 17-year-old Sanderling was accepted at the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler Berlin and studied with Josef Schwab.

The same year, after his debut as a soloist, he was engaged as solo cellist of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra where he stayed until 1992.

[3] In October 2013, the orchestra announced the extension of Sanderling's contract as principal conductor through the 2018–2019 season.

[4] In November 2016, Sanderling announced, via a letter to the mayor of Dresden, his intention to stand down as chief conductor of the orchestra after the end of his contract in 2019, in protest at learning of proposed culture budget reductions via media reports instead of being informed directly from the civic authorities.

In November 2019, the orchestra announced the appointment of Sanderling as its next chief conductor, effective with the 2021–2022 season.