Michael Sachs
Biography
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 John Williams’ Concerto for Trumpet, commissioned by The Cleveland Orchestra for Mr. Sachs, with Music Director Christoph von Dohnanyi conducting, the United States and New York premieres of Hans Werner Henze’s Requiem in 2000, also with Mr. Dohnanyi conducting, the March 2012 world premiere of Michael Hersch’s Night Pieces for Trumpet and Orchestra, commissioned by The Cleveland Orchestra for Mr. Sachs, with Giancarlo Guerrero conducting, and the August 2012 world premiere of Matthias Pintscher’s Chute d’Etoiles (Concerto for Two Trumpets), commissioned by The Cleveland Orchestra for Mr. Sachs and Jack Sutte, with Music Director Franz Welser-Moest conducting at the Lucerne Festival, with a subsequent performance at the Salzburg Festival. Mr. Sachs has also appeared as guest soloist with numerous orchestras and chamber groups, including the Houston Symphony Orchestra, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, the Auckland (New Zealand) Philharmonia, The Janacek Philharmonic Orchestra (Czech Republic), San Diego’s Mainly Mozart Festival, and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Mr. Sachs can be heard on over 150 recorded works with The Cleveland Orchestra, including featured performances of Stravinsky’s Histoire du Soldat, recorded for Deutsche Gramophone with Pierre Boulez, and Ives’ The Unanswered Question, recorded for London/Decca with Christoph von Dohnanyi. In 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, Domaine Forget, Eastern Music Festival, Grand Tetons Music Festival, Masterclass Internacional para Instrumentos de Metal, National Brass Symposium, National Orchestral Institute, Summer Brass Institute, and Summit Brass, Mr. Sachs regularly presents master classes and workshops at conservatories and major universities throughout the United States, Europe and Asia as a clinician for the Conn-Selmer Company (makers of Bach trumpets). 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 Mahler: Symphonic Works, Complete Trumpet Parts, both published by the International Music Company. Additionally, Mr. Sachs has also written 14 Duets for Trumpet and Trombone, co-authored with Principal Trombone of the New York Philharmonic Joseph Alessi, as well as contributed forewords to Rafael Mendez’s Prelude to Brass Playing and The Herbert L. Clarke Collection, all published by Carl Fischer Music. His most recent project, The Orchestral Trumpet, a 176 page comprehensive book and CD overview of standard orchestra trumpet repertoire, was released in May 2012. Since January of 2009, Michael Sachs has acted as editor of the “Inside the Orchestra Section” column for the International Trumpet Guild journal. Mr. Sachs has also recently been extensively involved in the acoustic design and play testing for the creation of the new Artisan line of Bach Stradivarius trumpets.
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. Additionally, he has performed the national anthem at numerous Cleveland Indians baseball games including the last game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, four opening days including the first game at Jacobs Field, and three playoff games.
Originally from Los Angeles, Michael Sachs attended UCLA, 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
