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"One of the most exciting classical conductors of the day" (Washingtonian), he will take up his full duties as Music Director beginning in September 2010.
"The consummate musicianship that Christoph Eschenbach brings will be a source of great inspiration to all of us," said NSO Executive Director Rita Shapiro. "He brings a keen desire to work with the Orchestra and the entire Center to establish a musical partnership that will be truly unique."
Maestro Eschenbach will spend a minimum of 10 weeks a year with the NSO, in addition to touring. He has already begun planning future seasons, presiding over auditions for vacancies in the Orchestra, and meeting on longer-range projects.
As 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.
With his "significant level of international renown" (The Washington Post), Eschenbach plans to raise the global stature of the National Symphony Orchestra. "I want to make sure they are internationally more known," he said, "as the orchestra of a great city and great country."
Currently Music Director of the Orchestre de Paris and most recently Music Director of The Philadelphia Orchestra, Mr. Eschenbach is in great demand as a distinguished guest conductor by the world's most prestigious orchestras and opera houses.
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Christoph Eschenbach leads the National Symphony Orchestra in Verdi's Requiem March 11-13. The orchestra and Washington Chorus are joined by soprano Twyla Robinson, mezzo-soprano Mihoko Fujimura, tenor Nikolai Schukoff and bass-baritone Evgeny Nikitin.Click here for tickets.
Jeremy D. Birch is the writer/editor for Kennedy Center News.
