Michael Sachs
Trumpet

Michael Sachs joined The Cleveland Orchestra as Principal Trumpet in 1988. Praised by critics for his “spectacular chops,” and “radiant tone,” he is recognized internationally as a leading soloist, recitalist, chamber musician, teacher, author and clinician.

Michael Sachs is frequently featured as soloist with The Cleveland Orchestra. Highlights include the 1996 world premiere of the John Williams’ Concerto for Trumpet, commissioned by The Cleveland Orchestra for Mr. Sachs, with Music Director Christoph von Dohnanyi conducting, and the United States and New York premieres of Hans Werner Henze's Requiem in 2000, also with Mr. Dohnanyi conducting. Mr. Sachs has also appeared as guest soloist with numerous major US and international orchestras and chamber groups, including the Houston Symphony Orchestra, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, the Auckland (New Zealand) Philharmonia, The Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra (Ostrava, Czech Rep.), San Diego’s Mainly Mozart Festival, and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Mr. Sachs can be heard on over 125 recorded works with The Cleveland Orchestra, including featured performances of Stravinsky's L'Histoire du Soldat recorded for Deutsche Gramophone with Pierre Boulez, and Ives' The Unanswered Question recorded for London/Decca with Christoph von Dohnanyi. In April 2005, Mr. Sachs performed a recital of music for trumpet and organ with Todd Wilson as part of Severance Hall’s Organ Recital Series. The recital was recorded and was released on CD by the Musical Arts Association (parent organization of The Cleveland Orchestra).

Along with his active performance schedule, Mr. Sachs serves as Chairman of the Brass division and Head of the Trumpet Department at the Cleveland Institute of Music. In addition to serving on the faculty of leading summer festivals, including the Aspen Music Festival, Blekinge International Brass Academy (Karlskrona, Sweden), Grand Tetons Music Festival, Masterclass Internacional para Instrumentos de Metal (Lisbon, Portugal), National Orchestral Institute, and Summit Brass, Mr. Sachs regularly presents master classes and workshops at conservatories and major universities throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. At the invitation of Sir Georg Solti, he served as Principal Trumpet/Instructor in the Solti Orchestral Project at Carnegie Hall. He is the author of Daily Fundamentals for the Trumpet and the three-volume set of Mahler: Symphonic Works, Complete Trumpet Parts, both published by the International Music Company. Mr. Sachs has also contributed forewords to Rafael Mendez’s Prelude to Brass Playing and The Herbert L. Clarke Collection, both published by Carl Fischer Music. His newest project, 14 Duets for Trumpet and Trombone, co-authored with Principal Trombone of the New York Philharmonic Joseph Alessi, was released in November 2007 published by Carl Fischer Music.

Prior to joining The Cleveland Orchestra, Mr. Sachs was a member of the Houston Symphony Orchestra, where he also performed with the Houston Grand Opera and served on the faculty of the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University. He has performed with many ensembles in New York City including the New York Philharmonic, Orchestra of St. Luke's, the New York Chamber Symphony, The New York Choral Society, Boys Choir of Harlem, and Speculum Musicae. Mr. Sachs has been involved in a wide range of media events including performances on CBS This Morning, The Kennedy Center Honors, and The Heroes of Conscience Concert for PBS.

Originally from Los Angeles, Michael Sachs attended The University of California at Los Angeles, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History before attending The Juilliard School of Music. His former teachers include Mark Gould, Anthony Plog, and James Stamp.

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11/30/2007