Martin Sieghart
Born in Vienna, Martin Sieghart initially studied piano, organ and conducting
before switching to the violoncello, which became his principal instrument.
In 1986, after years of performing as a solo cellist in the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and playing
chamber music in various ensembles, he ended his career in the orchestra and became a freelance conductor.
After a short relationship with the Noord Nederlands Orkest, he was appointed the principal conductor of the
Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra in 1990. As Karl Münchinger’s successor, he
directed the ensemble until 1995, in the process restoring its international reputation.
In 1992, Sieghart became the principal conductor of Linz’s Bruckner Orchestra and the
Linz Opera. His eight years of artistic work in Linz were marked by numerous CD recordings
and tours throughout Europe as well as in Japan and China. He conducted works from every era – from baroque
to several world premieres, with Anton Bruckner’s works representing a particularly meaningful focal point.
His main focus at the Linz Opera was a Mozart cycle, which culminated in a CD recording of "Entführung aus dem Serail"
(released by Arte Nova) and garnered international acclaim. In 2000, Sieghart concluded his time in Linz.
From 2002 to 2006 he was the artistic director and manager of the "Mozart in Reinsberg" Opera Festival.
In 2003 he became the principal conductor of the Arnhem Philharmonic Orchestra (Het Gelders Orkest).
As an expression of solidarity, the Arnhem Philharmonic Orchestra will appoint the internationally recognized conductor
as an honorary conductor in 2009.
Martin Sieghart took over the artistic direction of the "Spirit of Europe" Chamber Orchestra at the
beginning of the 2005 - 2006 Season.
An intense collaboration with Japanese label Octavia Records led to a Mahler cycle for many years.
Sieghart has been a guest conductor at numerous orchestras, including: Philharmonia Orchestra London,
Vienna Symphony Orchestra, RAI Roma, Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, NDR Symphony Orchestra, Residentie Orkest Den Haag,
Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra, WDR Symphony Orchestra, Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg,
Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra, German Symphony Orchestra Berlin and Tokyo Symphony Orchestra.
Since 2000, Sieghart has been a university professor in Graz, Austria, where he directs the conducting department.
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