Kurt Sanderling(1912-2011): RIP

[Dundonnell]

The great German conductor Kurt Sanderling has died at the advanced age of 98(in fact only two days before what would have been his 99th birthday).

Sanderling was one of the greatest but also one of the least well known of the German conductors of his generation. He was dismissed from his position as assistant conductor at the Berlin Staatsoper in 1933 and three years later moved to live and work in the USSR. He might instead have gone to work in the USA-he had offers from the Met in New York and from Rodzinski at the Cleveland Orchestra- but could not obtain an American immigration visa.

In Russia he worked first with the Moscow Radio Orchestra and then, from 1941, with the Leningrad Philharmonic. Although he mainly concentrated on the German repertoire in Leningrad he also conducted with great distinction the music of composers like Prokofiev and Shostakovich.

In 1960 he returned to East Germany and took over the Berlin Symphony Orchestra(until 1977) and conducted the Dresden Staatskapelle(1964-67). It was only really from the 1980s onwards that he became better known in the west, making a tremendous impression in London with his Beethoven and Brahms. He was offered but turned down the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Sanderling retired in 2002, refusing to conduct a Berlin Philharmonic tribute organized by Simon Rattle. Two of his sons-Thomas and Stefan-are noted conductors and another, Michael, is a cellist.

Sanderling was probably the last real link with that fantastic generation of great German/Austrian conductors which included Furtwangler, Klemperer, Walter in the sense that he studied in Berlin when these giants were conducting in that city. His performances and recordings demonstrate what a magnificent conductor he was.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/music-obituaries/8775201/Kurt-Sanderling.html

[Mirror Image]

One of the great conductors for sure. In his memory, I think I'll listen to either one of his Shostakovich or Sibelius performances tonight.

[Cato]

Stefan Sanderling is here in Ohio as conductor of the Toledo Symphony Orchestra:

See

http://www.toledosymphony.com/meet/conductors.html

[Mn Dave]

I'd settle for 98. RIP.

[madaboutmahler]

What a great conductor. I really love his performances of Beethoven, Brahms, Shostakovich, Sibelius, Mahler etc.

RIP

[westknife]

alex ross remembers him here: http://www.therestisnoise.com/2011/09/for-kurt-sanderling.html

[not edward]

Another of the giants gone.

I'm not surprised to see people mentioning the Shostakovich 15th at this point in time. His Cleveland recording of the piece is a truly remarkable achievement in my view; so far from the mainstream interpretation and incredibly effective.

[jwinter]

RIP indeed.  Added to the listening pile for this evening...

[Lisztianwagner]

It's terrible  I agree, he was a very brilliant conductor, he made many great recordings! I especially like his performances of Beethoven, Dvořák, Mahler and Sibelius.
We won't forget you Maestro 

Ilaria

[Tapio Dimitriyevich Shostakovich]

Ooooh, i completely missed that information - I thought he was still alive.

Well he was my favourite Shostakovich conductor. I prefer all Symphonies which we can have on CD of him. As for the 15th, I prefer the Berliner over Cleveland. In case of the 8th, Petrenko is en par.

[Mirror Image]

Sanderling no doubt left behind a beautiful legacy, but thankfully he is carried on through the conducting of his sons: Thomas, Michael, and Stefan.

[Sergeant Rock]

Ooooh, i completely missed that information - I thought he was still alive.

Well he was my favourite Shostakovich conductor. I prefer all Symphonies which we can have on CD of him. As for the 15th, I prefer the Berliner over Cleveland. In case of the 8th, Petrenko is en par.

A pity we don't have a Fourth or Ninth from him.

Sarge

[The new erato]

My first encounter with him were the cheap Brahms symphonies on RCA, still a very good set!