A Message from Yannick Nézet-Séguin:
“The Philadelphia Orchestra family is profoundly saddened to hear of the death of its beloved former music director, Conductor Laureate, Wolfgang Sawallisch. During his ten-year tenure as music director he cared deeply for the Orchestra and its musicians, helped preserve and nurture our Philadelphia Sound, and enriched and expanded upon the Orchestra’s century-old tradition of excellence, leaving us an enduring legacy of artistic achievements. Off the podium he was also a dear friend to many in the Orchestra and in the Philadelphia community. He has been missed, and his memory will be treasured.”

Maestro Sawallisch was the single most important musical force in my life. Thank you Maestro for giving me the opportunity to play with The Philadelphia Orchestra, the greatest orchestra in the world. Elizabeth Hainen