Role

:

Conductor Performer

Birth

:

September 19, 1912 in Arys, East Prussia

Death

:

September 18, 2011

Period

:

Classical

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Symphony

 

Kurt Sanderling was a renowned German conductor who was born on September 19, 1912, in Arys, East Prussia (now Orzysz, Poland). He was born into a musical family, and his father was a violinist in the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. Sanderling began his musical education at the age of six, studying piano and violin. He later studied conducting at the Berlin State Academy of Music. Sanderling's career began in 1933 when he became a conductor at the Berlin State Opera. However, his career was interrupted by World War II, and he was drafted into the German army. After the war, Sanderling moved to East Germany and became the principal conductor of the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra in 1947. He held this position until 1960, during which time he established himself as one of the leading conductors in East Germany. In 1960, Sanderling left East Germany and moved to the Soviet Union, where he became the principal conductor of the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra. He held this position until 1967, during which time he conducted many notable performances, including the premiere of Shostakovich's Symphony No. 13. After leaving the Soviet Union, Sanderling conducted many of the world's leading orchestras, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He was particularly known for his interpretations of the works of Beethoven, Brahms, and Shostakovich. Sanderling's career was marked by many notable performances and awards. In 1977, he conducted the Berlin Philharmonic in a performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 to celebrate the orchestra's 75th anniversary. This performance was later released on DVD and is considered one of the greatest performances of the work. In 1980, Sanderling was awarded the National Prize of East Germany for his contributions to music. He was also awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1992 for his services to music. Sanderling continued to conduct well into his 90s, and his last performance was in 2010, when he conducted the Berlin Philharmonic in a performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9. He died on September 17, 2011, at the age of 98. In conclusion, Kurt Sanderling was a highly respected conductor who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His career spanned several decades and included many notable performances and awards. He will be remembered as one of the greatest conductors of the 20th century.

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