José Antonio Sáinz Alfaro took over the position of conductor of the "Orfeón Donostiarra" in 1987. In this period, José Antonio Sainz renewed the choir with young voices, maintaining the high musical level that the preceding conductors had reached.

We can mention the following star performances:

• Requiem, by J.Brahms, at the Sagra Musicale Umbra in Perugia (Italy), with Lorin Maazel and the London Symphony Orchestra (1987).

• 9th Symphonie , by L.V. Beethoven, at the Great Opera Theatre in Rome (Italy), with Lorin Maazel and the London Symphony Orchestra (1987).

• La Atlantida, by M. de Falla, inaugurating concert for the National Music Auditorium in Madrid, with Jesús López Cobos and the Spanish National Orchestra (1988).

• Mors et Vita, by C. Gounod, first world recording, with Michel Plasson and the Toulouse Capitol National Orchestra (1992).

• 2nd Simphonye "Resurrection", by G. Mahler, at the Expo'92 in Seville, with Lorin Maazel and the Pittsburgh Symphonic Orchestra (1992).

• 2nd Simphonye"Resurrection", by G. Mahler, at the National Auditorium in Madrid, with Zubin Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (1993).

• 9th Symphonie, by L. Beethoven, at the National Auditorium in Madrid, with Michael Tilson Thomas and the London Philharmonic Orchestra (1995).