Christoph Eschenbach

In demand as a distinguished guest conductor with the finest orchestras and opera houses throughout the world, Christoph Eschenbach began his tenure in September 2010 as Music Director of the National Symphony Orchestra as well as Music Director of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. He was formerly Music Director of the Orchestre de Paris (2000-2010), the Philadelphia Orchestra (2003-2008), the NDR Symphony Orchestra (1998-2004) and the Houston Symphony (1988-1999). He is regularly invited to perform at prestigious music festivals including Salzburg, Prague, Tanglewood, Ravinia, Schleswig Holstein, Rheingau, St. Petersburg and Granada.

A prolific recording artist over five decades, Eschenbach has an impressive discography as both conductor and pianist. His recordings include works ranging from Bach to music of our time and reflect his commitment to not just canonical works but the music of the late 20th and early 21st century as well. In 2014 he received a Grammy Awards for his Hindemith CD with violinist Midori and the NDR Symphony Orchestra.

Christoph Eschenbach was mentored by George Szell and Herbert von Karajan, and it is very important to him to pass on musical knowledge and experience, dedicating time each season to run master classes and orchestra academies for young performers. His many honours include the Légion d’Honneur, Commandeur dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, the Commander’s Cross of German Order of Meri and the Leonard Bernstein Award from the Pacific Music Festival. This year he will receive the Ernst von Siemens music Award in honour of his life’s dedication to music.