Michael Schönheit

As conductor, organist, harpsichordist and fortepiano player, Michael Schönheit is one of the most creative minds of our time. He is organist of the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig (Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra), leads an organ class at the Hochschule für Musik (College of Music) in Nuremberg and serves as a jury member at international competitions. As cathedral organist in Merseburg and artistic director of the Merseburger Orgeltage he oversaw the extensive restoration of the unique cathedral organ built by Friedrich Ladegast (1853–1855). In addition to his regular activities with the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, his concert activities as a soloist throughout Europe, the USA and Japan have brought him together with the Staatskapelle Dresden, the Münchner Philharmoniker (Munich Philharmonic) and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2013, the anniversary year of Johann Ludwig Krebs, Schönheit released a recording of the complete orchestral and cantatas of the composer together with the Merseburger Hofmusik.