Hans Swarowsky
Sanderling was born in Novosibirsk, and began his education by studying violin at the special school of the Leningrad Conservatory. In 1960, he began his studies at the Hochschule für Musik "Hanns Eisler" in Berlin. In 1962, after winning a national conducting competition, he made his debut as a conductor, followed by further studies with Hans Swarowsky. He was assistant to Herbert von Karajan and Leonard Bernstein.