Christoph Eschenbach facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Christoph Eschenbach
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Christoph Eschenbach in 2012
|
|
| Born |
Christoph Ringmann
20 February 1940 |
| Occupation |
|
| Organization |
|
| Parent(s) | Heribert Ringmann, Margarethe Jaross |
| Awards |
|
Christoph Eschenbach (born 20 February 1940) is a famous German pianist and conductor. He is known for his amazing musical talent and for leading many top orchestras around the world.
Contents
Christoph Eschenbach's Early Life
Christoph Eschenbach was born on February 20, 1940, in a city called Breslau, which is now Wrocław, Poland. His birth name was Christoph Ringmann. His mother, Margarethe, was a singer and piano teacher, and his father, Heribert, was a conductor.
A Difficult Childhood
Sadly, Christoph became an orphan during World War II. His mother passed away when he was born. His father, who was a conductor, joined the German army and was killed in 1945. His grandmother took care of him for a while, but she also passed away in a refugee camp.
Because of these sad events, Christoph did not speak for a whole year. This changed when someone asked him if he wanted to play music. In 1946, his mother's cousin, Wallydore Eschenbach, adopted him. She started teaching him to play the piano in 1948.
Starting His Musical Journey
When Christoph was 11, he went to a concert led by the famous conductor Wilhelm Furtwängler. This experience greatly inspired him. In 1955, he began studying piano and conducting at the Musikhochschule in Cologne. He also continued his music studies in Hamburg.
Christoph Eschenbach's Musical Career
As a pianist, Christoph Eschenbach won many awards. In 1965, he won first prize in the Clara Haskil Competition in Switzerland. He made his first recording in 1964, playing music by Mozart. He then signed a contract with a major music label.
Learning from Masters
Christoph Eschenbach continued to learn about conducting from great musicians like George Szell and Herbert von Karajan. He worked with George Szell for more than three years. As a pianist, he became especially known for his recordings of music by Schubert and Mozart. He often played with other pianists like Justus Frantz and Tzimon Barto.
Leading Orchestras Around the World
Christoph Eschenbach has led many famous orchestras. From 1982 to 1986, he was the chief conductor of the Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich in Switzerland. He also helped lead the Pacific Music Festival for several years.
In Germany, he was the chief conductor of the NDR Symphony Orchestra in Hamburg from 1998 to 2004. He also directed the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival. From 2000 to 2010, he was the music director of the Orchestre de Paris in France.
Success in the United States
In the United States, Eschenbach was the music director of the Houston Symphony Orchestra from 1988 to 1999. Under his leadership, the orchestra toured Japan and Europe. They also made several recordings. The City of Houston honored him with a special star in front of Jones Hall, where the orchestra performs. He was also the music director of the Ravinia Festival from 1994 to 2005.
Helping Young Musicians
Christoph Eschenbach has made over 80 recordings as a pianist, conductor, or both. He has also appeared in many TV shows and concert broadcasts. He is known for helping young, talented musicians grow in their careers. Some of the artists he has supported include soprano Renée Fleming and pianists Tzimon Barto and Lang Lang.
Leading the Philadelphia Orchestra
In 2003, Christoph Eschenbach became the seventh music director of The Philadelphia Orchestra. His appointment caused some discussion because he had not conducted the orchestra in four years. Some musicians felt there wasn't a strong connection between them and him before he was chosen.
Challenges and Accomplishments
Despite some initial concerns, Eschenbach's contract was renewed until 2008. He believed in having flexible tempos in music, saying, "Quicker tempos tend to court superficiality."
In October 2006, it was announced that he would finish his time in Philadelphia at the end of the 2007–2008 season. Some critics had different opinions about whether he should stay. Some musicians complained about his rehearsals and performances, saying he sometimes got lost in the music or asked for overtime.
However, Eschenbach also had many successes. He helped the orchestra get a new recording contract and hired nine new musicians. He also received praise for his efforts in raising money for the orchestra.
Differing Views
There were different reports about the relationship between Eschenbach and the orchestra. Some articles suggested that many musicians were unhappy with his musical interpretations. However, Eschenbach later said that a survey claiming 80 percent of the orchestra was against him was not true.
In 2007, an article in the Los Angeles Times described Eschenbach as "one of the world's finest musicians" and an "exciting interpreter." However, it also mentioned that the orchestra had initially opposed his hiring. Despite these challenges, Eschenbach continued to guest-conduct the orchestra in later seasons.
Later Career and Current Roles
In September 2008, the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) in Washington D.C. chose Eschenbach as its music director, starting in the 2010–2011 season. He also became the music director of the Kennedy Center. His contract with the NSO was extended multiple times, and he concluded his tenure there at the end of the 2016–2017 season. He then became the NSO's conductor laureate. Since 2016, he has also been an honorary conductor of the Bamberg Symphony.
Recent Appointments
In November 2017, the Konzerthausorchester Berlin announced Eschenbach as its new chief conductor, starting in the 2019–2020 season. His contract was extended until the 2022–2023 season, when he stepped down from the role.
In January 2022, the Copenhagen Philharmonic named Eschenbach as its honorary guest conductor for two seasons. Most recently, in January 2024, the National Forum of Music (NFM) in Wrocław announced that Eschenbach would be its next artistic director, starting with the 2024–2025 season for five years.
Honours and Awards
Christoph Eschenbach has received many important awards for his contributions to music:
- 1990: Federal Cross of Merit 1st Class
- 1993: Pacific Music Festival, Leonard Bernstein Award
- August 2002: Knight Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- October 2002: Legion d'honneur of France
- June 2006: Chevalier (knight) of the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres
- 2010: Order of Merit of Schleswig-Holstein
- 2015: Ernst von Siemens Music Prize
See also
In Spanish: Christoph Eschenbach para niños
