Anthony Plog on Music
Conversations with performers, composers, and entrepreneurs





Michael Sachs, Principal Trumpet of the Cleveland Orchestra
Anthony Plog, hostEddie Ludema, producer
Date posted: Nov 3, 2020
Michael Sachs is the iconic principal trumpet of the Cleveland Orchestra. But he is much more than that. Enjoy this far-ranging conversation, as Michael talks about his experiences playing in the Cleveland Orchestra, working with people such as John Williams, teaching brass students, and much more.
Part 1
Hear Michael talk in depth about auditioning with the Cleveland Orchestra, striving to be (in baseball terms) a five-tool guy, and premiering the John Williams Trumpet Concerto.
Part 2
Michael discusses trumpet lineage, his friend and mentor David Zauder, and his all-time favorite performance with the Cleveland Orchestra.
Bonus Room
Michael explores teaching, learning, and the influence of Tom Stevens. He describes how, when Michael was a young student of mine, I told him in a lesson, “Mike, it’s a trumpet, You blow on it, you don’t suck on it.”
Michael's Links
"Cancer Blows is Ryan Anthony's Foundation and something very near and dear to me."
Find all of Michael's books at:
And just for fun, a link to a childhood friend's store that makes wonderful LED clocks:
The podcast theme music, Four Sierra Scenes, written by Anthony Plog, is taken from Crystal Records S205, copyright ©1980 Crystal Records Inc., and is used by permission. Unauthorized duplication is not permitted.