BERLIN, Sept 8, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - German conductor Christoph von Dohnanyi, hailed as one of the greats of his generation, has died aged 95, public broadcaster NDR said Monday.

Dohnanyi -- who was long music director of the Cleveland Orchestra -- died in Munich "a few days before his 96th birthday", which would have been Monday, NDR said.

Dohnanyi was principal conductor of the NDR Elbphilharmonie, an orchestra based in Hamburg, from 2004 to 2011.

Hendrik Luenenborg, general director of the broadcaster, said his death was a "great loss" and described him as "one of the most important figures in international music".

"He was a visionary and pioneer of the Elbphilharmonie, whose influence we continue to acknowledge with great gratitude and respect," Lueneborg said.

Born in Berlin, Dohnanyi was the grandson of the Hungarian composer and conductor Ernst von Dohnanyi.

His father, uncle and other relatives were part of the resistance movement against the Nazis during World War II.

Dohnanyi was best known for the almost two decades he spent as music director of the Cleveland Orchestra in the United States, from 1984 to 2002.

He also regularly appeared as a guest conductor at major opera houses in Vienna, London, Paris and Zurich, as well as at the Salzburg Festival.

He also served as chief conductor of the Hamburg State Opera from 1978 to 1982, and as musical director of the Frankfurt Opera.