Christoph Eschenbach

Music Director Designate of the National Symphony Orchestra and
Music Director Designate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

September 29, 2008 Announcement

German conductor and pianist Christoph Eschenbach has been named the sixth Music Director of the National Symphony Orchestra and the Music Director of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He will assume these posts in the 2010–2011 season. For the 2009–2010 season, he will be Music Director–Designate and appear with the Orchestra in Spring 2010.

Maestro Eschenbach's four-year agreement calls for him to spend a minimum of 10 weeks a year with the NSO, in addition to touring. Although his contract does not begin until next year, he will be engaged immediately in planning future seasons, presiding over auditions for vacancies in the Orchestra, and in meetings on longer-range projects. In addition, exploratory discussions are underway with Ondine Records, the distinguished Finnish recording company with which Maestro Eschenbach regularly records, regarding future plans.

In the newly created position of Kennedy Center Music Director, his duties will include assisting in the planning of future international festivals. He will also serve as consultant to Kennedy Center President Michael M. Kaiser and the Education Department in the area of developing content for the Center's Web site and strengthening existing projects, such as the Conservatory Project.

"It is a great pleasure to welcome the world-renowned Christoph Eschenbach to the artistic family of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts," said Kennedy Center Chairman Stephen A. Schwarzman. "With his incredible artistry and his immense knowledge of the music world, he will be an enormous asset in future festivals and international projects."

"We are absolutely delighted that Christoph Eschenbach will become the sixth music director of the National Symphony Orchestra," Ann Jordan, Chairman of the Board of the National Symphony Orchestra Association stated. "Maestro Eschenbach is eagerly anticipating developing a rich and dynamic partnership with the Orchestra, and it will be extremely exciting to watch that evolve throughout his years with us."

"Christoph Eschenbach is one of the world's great musicians," said NSO Executive Director Rita Shapiro, "and we are delighted that he will become the Music Director of the National Symphony Orchestra and the Kennedy Center. He brings extraordinary artistry and dedication, in addition to a keen desire to work with the Orchestra and the entire Center to establish a musical partnership that will be truly unique."

"These two positions offer extraordinary opportunity," said Mr. Eschenbach. "I look forward to working with Michael Kaiser and all at the National Symphony Orchestra and Kennedy Center. The Kennedy Center is a truly unique world-renowned institution, one that I have observed and admired for many years. The music directorship of the NSO will allow me to bring a great orchestra, from a great city and a great country, to the attention of the world."

Maestro Eschenbach was the unanimous choice of the Search Committee, which is comprised of NSO musicians elected by the NSO's members, representatives from the NSO Association Board of Directors, and key members of the administrative staff.

"We are excited about this new partnership with Maestro Christoph Eschenbach. His charisma and probing musicianship were evident in the most recent concert with us, and the NSO has a history of great performances under his baton. This is a really wonderful opportunity for the National Symphony Orchestra and the Kennedy Center. We look forward to a deepening relationship with him as our music making moves to an even higher level." These remarks were issued jointly by the five NSO musicians elected to the Search Committee: Principal Second Violin Marissa Regni (chair), Assistant Principal Contrabass Richard Barber, flutist Alice Weinreb, clarinetist Paul Cigan, and bass trombone Matthew Guilford.

Currently Music Director of the Orchestre de Paris and most recently Music Director of The Philadelphia Orchestra, where he served five years, Mr. Eschenbach has been in great demand as a distinguished guest conductor.

During the 2007–2008 season, the 40th anniversary of the Orchestre de Paris, Maestro Eschenbach conducted concerts with soloists including Lang Lang, Daniel Barenboim, and Yo-Yo Ma, and led world premieres of music by Kaija Saariaho and Augusta Read Thomas. He took the orchestra on a tour of Asia and of Europe.

Mentored by George Szell and Herbert von Karajan, Mr. Eschenbach went on to hold posts with the Tonhalle Orchestra in Zurich, the Houston Symphony Orchestra, the Ravinia Festival, and the NDR Symphony Orchestra in Hamburg. He has in turn mentored a number of artists, including soprano Renée Fleming and pianist Lang Lang. Mr. Eschenbach says he has "always been deeply interested, indeed passionate, about helping and supporting young talent."

This season, he appears with the Vienna Philharmonic (at the Musikverein and on tour) and the Dresden Staatskapelle, as well as with the London Philharmonic at Royal Festival Hall, the NDR Symphony Orchestra Hamburg, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Ravinia, and makes his conducting debut with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.