Christoph Eschenbach

Christoph Eschenbach is a phenomenon amongst the top league of international conductors. Universally acclaimed as both a conductor and pianist, he belongs firmly to the German intellectual line of tradition, yet he combines this with a rare emotional intensity, producing performances revered by concertgoers worldwide.

Christoph Eschenbach was a war orphan, raised in Schleswig-Holstein and Aachen by his mother’s cousin, the pianist Wallydore Eschenbach. Her lessons laid the foundation of his illustrious musical career. Following his studies with Eliza Hansen (piano) and Wilhelm Brückner-Rüggeberg (conducting), he won notable piano awards – such as the ARD Competition Munich 1962 and the Concours Clara Haskil 1965 – that helped to pave the way for his growing international fame.

Supported by mentors such as George Szell and Herbert von Karajan, the focus of Christoph Eschenbach’s career increasingly moved to conducting. Over the span of more than 50 years, Eschenbach has held Music and Artistic Director positions for orchestras like Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, Houston Symphony, NDR Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, Orchestre de Paris, Washington National Symphony Orchestra, Konzerthaus Orchestra Berlin. Eschenbach is also a regular guest with orchestras such as the Vienna and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestras, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Staatskapelle Dresden, the New York Philharmonic, Filarmonica della Scala, the London Philharmonic Orchestra and the NHK Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo. From the 2024/25 season he’s Musical Director of the NFM Philharmonic Orchestra in Wroclaw, Poland, the city where he was born.

He is also well-known as a tireless supporter of young talent – this is his greatest passion, and he values his contribution to mentoring up-and-coming talent over and above his own distinguished career.

Christoph Eschenbach has previously conducted the GUSTAV MAHLER JUGENDORCHESTER for the Summer Tour 2014 and Easter Tour 2016 / Special Project in Abu Dhabi.