Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra – Closing Concert
: A Trip Across the Rhine

Under the baton of Aziz Shokhakimov since 2021, the Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra—designated a “national orchestra” in 1994—is recognized as one of the leading ensembles in France and Europe. With a roster of 110 musicians carrying on its dual French and Germanic tradition, the orchestra has, since its founding in 1855, pursued an ambitious mission centered on symphonic music accessible to all audiences. It performs approximately 100 concerts each year and attracts nearly 120,000 attendees. In 2024, it was awarded the “Orchestra of the Year” trophy by Radio Classique. A committed, accessible cultural institution firmly rooted in the present, it continually strives to open its doors to as many people as possible through innovative and inclusive concerts.
Its mission: to share musical excellence and emotion with an ever-expanding audience
The Orchestra explores a wide repertoire, from the 18th century to the present day, collaborating with internationally renowned conductors and soloists as well as a new generation of artists. In addition to its symphonic season, it regularly performs in the orchestra pit of the Opéra national du Rhin. Over the years, the Orchestra has continually reinvented itself to introduce classical music to an increasingly diverse audience: chamber music events at all hours (from 8:15 AM to 10:30 PM), one-hour symphonic concerts, concerts for children as young as 3, instrument discovery workshops, and meet-and-greets with artists… It is also expanding initiatives to improve accessibility for audiences with disabilities, notably through a series of “Relax” concerts and the provision of vibrating vests. Its civic commitment is also reflected in its consideration of its social responsibility and environmental impact, which has resulted in the completion of a carbon footprint assessment in 2023 and the implementation of an action plan to reduce its ecological footprint. In the social and medical-social sphere, it carries out in-depth work in partnership with local associations and is developing, in particular, an ambitious project in the heart of the Hautepierre neighborhood.
From Local Roots to National and International Reach
Beyond its key role in the cultural life of Strasbourg and the region, the Orchestra serves as an ambassador for its region by performing on France’s largest stages (Paris, Lyon, Lille, etc.). A regular guest at numerous festivals (Côte Saint-André, Printemps des Arts in Monaco, Festival de Saint-Denis), it will close the La Chaise-Dieu Festival in August 2025. It also performs on Europe’s most prestigious stages (KKL in Lucerne, Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Alte Oper in Frankfurt, Cadogan Hall in London, etc.) and has a strong presence in Asia—the success of its latest tour of South Korea in 2022 has earned it a return invitation for a future season.
A Leading Audiovisual Presence
The Orchestra’s visibility is greatly enhanced beyond national borders thanks to an ambitious recording strategy, made possible by the long-term support of major audiovisual partners. On disc, thanks to its partnership with Warner, the Orchestra has made a sensation with John Nelson—a true companion and musical collaborator for forty years—and a Berlioz cycle that has won the highest accolades (Les Troyens, La Damnation de Faust, Harold en Italie, Nuits d’été, Roméo et Juliette). Other critical successes follow: Bariténor with Michael Spyres and Marko Letonja in 2022, then three works under the baton of Aziz Shokhakimov: Tchaikovsky (2023), Prokofiev (2024), and, in 2025, Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé.

Source: philharmonique.strasbourg.eu

Michael Sanderling has been Music Director of the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra since 2021. His appointment marked the culmination of a long and fruitful collaboration, driven by a shared commitment to further developing the late Romantic repertoire, particularly the works of Bruckner, Mahler, and Strauss.
Under his baton, the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra has toured Asia, South America, and Europe. One of the highlights was the performance of Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10 at the Vienna Konzerthaus, accompanied by William Kentridge’s animated film *Oh to Believe in Another World*. This remarkable production premiered at the KKL in Lucerne and at the Pompeii Theatrum Mundi festival, and was subsequently presented again at the MiTo festival in Milan and at the Philharmonie de Paris.
Since the start of his tenure, several critically acclaimed recordings have been released, notably a complete Brahms cycle in 2023 on Warner Classics, featuring the four symphonies and the piano quartet orchestrated by Arnold Schoenberg. These are complemented by recordings of the Requiems by Mozart and Fazıl Say with the Berlin Radio Choir.
As a guest conductor, Michael Sanderling leads internationally renowned orchestras, including the Berliner Philharmoniker, the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Orchestre de Paris, the NHK Symphony Orchestra, the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philharmonia Orchestra of London, the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra.
From 2011 to 2019, he served as music director of the Dresden Philharmonic, with which he significantly enhanced the orchestra’s reputation both in Dresden and on international tours. During this period, he recorded the complete symphonies of Beethoven and Shostakovich for Sony Classical. Previously, from 2006 to 2011, he served as music director of the Kammerakademie Potsdam.
In addition to the recordings mentioned, Michael Sanderling’s extensive discography also includes major works by Dvořák, Schumann, Prokofiev, and Tchaikovsky, as well as works for cello and orchestra by Bloch, Korngold, Bruch, and Ravel, recorded with Edgar Moreau and the Luzerner Sinfonieorchester.
In 2011, he conducted a new production of Sergei Prokofiev’s War and Peace at the Cologne Opera, earning him the title of “Conductor of the Year” from Opernwelt magazine.
Michael Sanderling is deeply committed to nurturing young musical talent. He teaches at the Frankfurt University of Music and Performing Arts and collaborates regularly with the Schleswig-Holstein Festival Orchestra. From 2003 to 2013, he served as music director of the Deutsche Streicherphilharmonie.

Translated into French from: www.michaelsanderling.de

Accessible to wheelchair users

Basilica of Saint Remi – Rue Saint-Julien, 51100 Reims

Doors open at 7pm