in 1996, he left the orchestre national to become chief conductor of the saarbrücken radio symphony orchestra, a prominent recording and broadcast orchestra in germany, making him the first american to hold the position of chief conductor in that orchestra's history. his work there is also notable for the orchestra's many recordings of american classical music during his tenure, including discs of works by henry cowell and charles ives. he also led the orchestra on tours of spain, portugal, china and switzerland. he stepped down as chief conductor in 2000.