 In November 2016, Sanderling announced, via a letter to the mayor of Dresden, his intention to stand down as chief conductor of the orchestra after the end of his contract in 2019, in protest at learning of proposed culture budget reductions via media reports instead of being informed directly from the civic authorities.In 2010, Sanderling first guest-conducted the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra.In November 2019, the orchestra announced the appointment of Sanderling as its next chief conductor, effective with the 2021-2022 season.