CLEVELAND (AP) — Christoph von Dohnányi, a preeminent conductor celebrated for his role as music director of the Cleveland Orchestra from 1984 to 2002, has passed away at the age of 95. Dohnányi died on Saturday in Munich, as confirmed by a statement from the Cleveland Orchestra on Monday.

Dohnányi was recognized as a prominent figure among international conductors who contributed to the revered reputation of the Salzburg Festival. Markus Hinterhäuser, the festival's artistic director, referred to him as "a grand seigneur" in a statement. His legacy with the Cleveland Orchestra is significant, as he helped enhance excellence within an ensemble previously guided by notable conductors such as George Szell from 1946 to 1970 and Lorin Maazel from 1972 to 1982.

In a 2011 interview, Dohnányi expressed admiration for the Cleveland Orchestra’s musicianship, stating, "It’s an ensemble of musicians who come somehow from making chamber music. The real, very special characteristic about the Cleveland Orchestra is that people, musicians, are used to listen to each other very much." He highlighted the deep communicative spirit among the players, which sets the orchestra apart.

Since Dohnányi's departure, the Cleveland Orchestra has remained under the stable leadership of Franz Welser-Möst, who is set to leave in 2027. Dohnányi's life was marked by a profound musical heritage; he was born in Berlin on September 8, 1929, the son of lawyer Hans von Dohnanyi and Christine Bonhoeffer, who was the sister of the pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the granddaughter of composer Ernst von Dohnányi.

The musical lineage and historical context of his family profoundly shaped his artistic outlook. Cleveland Orchestra CEO André Gremillet remarked, "Maestro Dohnányi’s artistry and dedication led to a deep mutual respect with our musicians, which was felt sincerely by our audiences." Notably, Hans von Dohnanyi and Bonhoeffer were arrested by the Nazi regime in 1943, a tragedy that profoundly impacted Christoph and his family.

Initially, Dohnányi pursued law for two years after World War II before shifting to music at Munich's Musikhochschule, where he studied piano, composition, and conducting. He later had the opportunity to coach at the Bavarian State Opera. His educational journey included time with his grandfather in Florida State in 1952-53 and studies at the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Tanglewood Music Center.

Dohnányi's professional career began in earnest when he worked as a repetiteur and conductor at the Frankfurt Opera under renowned conductor Georg Solti from 1953. His roles expanded as he served as general music director of the Lübeck Opera from 1957 to 1963, eventually making his U.S. debut with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in 1961. He took on various significant positions, including general music director of the Staatstheater Kassel from 1963 to 1966 and chief conductor of the WDR Symphony Orchestra in Cologne from 1964 to 1970.

Following Solti's tenure, Dohnányi became the principal conductor at Oper Frankfurt from 1968 to 1977 and was the music director at Hamburg State Opera from 1977 to 1984. His family connections included his brother Klaus, who served as mayor of Hamburg from 1981 to 1988. Dohnányi's later career included serving as principal guest conductor of London's Philharmonia Orchestra from 1997 to 2008 and chief conductor of Hamburg’s NDR Sinfonieorchester from 2004 to 2010.

Notably, Dohnányi made his debut with the Vienna Philharmonic at the 1966 Salzburg Festival, conducting the orchestra up until 2019. Acknowledging his artistic contributions, Vienna Philharmonic chairman Daniel Froschauer expressed, "We will remember his artistic work with sincere appreciation. Our thoughts are with his family." Dohnányi made significant contributions at the Salzburg Festival, leading the world premiere of Hans Werner Henze’s "Die Bassariden" in 1966 and making his Metropolitan Opera debut with Verdi's "Falstaff" in 1972.

Throughout his personal life, Dohnányi experienced three marriages, with the first two to actress Renate Zillessen and soprano Anja Silja ending in divorce. He is survived by his third wife, Barbara Koller, along with a brother, Klaus, and five children from his earlier marriages.