Christoph Von Dohnányi (1929-2025)

“Christoph von Dohnányi, for all his modest demeanour, knew exactly when to impose his authority on both soloist and orchestra alike, to powerful effect.”
(The Guardian)

Honorary Conductor for Life: Philharmonia Orchestra
Music Director Laureate: The Cleveland Orchestra

Christoph von Dohnányi had a long-standing relationship with the Philharmonia, starting with his appointment as the Orchestra’s Principal Guest Conductor in 1994. He served as Principal Conductor for 11 years from 1997, before being appointed Honorary Conductor for Life in 2008.

In past seasons Christoph von Dohnányi was been regularly invited to perform with Boston Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic Orchestra, The Cleveland Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre de Paris, Tonhalle Orchester Zürich, Filarmonica della Scala and The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. He was a guest conductor for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in Sydney and led an open-air concert “Fest der Freude” with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra in Vienna in celebration of the end of the Second World War.

In 2013 the University of London presented Christoph von Dohnányi with an honourary doctorate in Music from the Royal Academy of Music.

“Dohnányi may be just a couple of months shy of his 86^th birthday, but his ability to energise a score and keep it light on its feet remains entirely undiminished.”

(George Hall, The Guardian, July 2015)

“… these masterworks, under the seasoned and no-nonsense baton of Christoph von Dohnanyi, came across with a helpful clarity and welcome freshness that let you marvel at them anew — and on their own terms…There were highlights big and small, including the wonderful balance in the finale of No. 39 between instrumental detail and pure onrushing exuberance; the graceful lilt of the woodwind playing in the trio section of the third movement of No. 40; and the quietly glowing strings in the Andante Cantabile of the “Jupiter.” Dohnanyi can make even the smallest details speak.”

(Jeremy Eichler, The Boston Globe, March 2015)

“Dohnányi led a fluent and sparkling account, directing with gentle waving gestures that let the music speak for itself. The darting phrases of the first movement had bite and fiery energy, while the melodies of the second moved with fluid motion. The lilting minuet segued elegantly into the spirited finale.”

(Aaron Keebaugh, Boston Classical Review, March 2015)