Christoph Eschenbach

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Christoph Eschenbach (born February 20, 1940 in Breslau, Germany (today Wrocław, Poland) is a noted pianist and conductor. Orphaned by World War II, he won numerous first-place piano competition prizes.

In 1964 he made his first recording (of Mozart) for Deutsche Grammophon and signed a contract with the label. In 1981, Eschenbach became principal guest conductor of the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, and was chief conductor from 1982-86. Other posts include music director of the Houston (1988-99); chief conductor of the Hamburg NDR Symphony (1998-2004); and music director of the Ravinia Festival, summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (1994-2003). He has made numerous recordings both as piano soloist and conductor.

Since 2000, Eschenbach has been the Music Director of the Orchestre de Paris. In 2003, he became the Music Director of The Philadelphia Orchestra, which was a controversial appointment because at the time of the announcement, January 2001, Eschenbach had not conducted the orchestra in over 4 years and there was a perceived lack of personal chemistry between him and the musicians prior to the appointment.<ref>Anthony Tomassini, "Conductor Under Fire, Orchestra Under Pressure". New York Times, 23 November 2006</ref> <ref>Peter Dobrin, "Orchestra has some lessons to consider". Philadelphia Inquirer, 29 October 2006.</ref>. In October 2006, the Orchestra announced that Eschenbach will conclude his tenure in Philadelphia at the close of the 2007-2008 season. In the weeks prior to his departure, Philadelphia Inquirer music critics Peter Dobrin and David Patrick Stearns debated whether or not he should be retained, with Dobrin suggesting that Eschenbach should move on<ref>Dobrin, Peter, "Call it quits: Start search now for a harmonious match." Philadelphia Inquirer, 24 September 2006.</ref> and Stearns arguing that Eschenbach should remain<ref>Stearns, David Patrick, "Keep him: His personal music-making is a treasure." Philadelphia Inquirer, 24 September 2006.</ref>. Other harsh criticism of Eschenbach's tenure in Philadelphia has been aired<ref>Baxter, Robert, "Few standing ovations for Eschenbach." Courier-Post, 15 October 2006.</ref> .

Following the announcement, Dobrin in the Inquirer wrote that Eschenbach's tenure in Philadelphia was difficult for many musicians:

"In three seasons, Eschenbach and the orchestra have produced a handful of brilliant concerts. More often, though, his rehearsals and performances have elicited a long list of complaints from musicians: getting lost in the score at concerts; leading disorganized rehearsals and then asking for overtime; and insisting on a peculiar rushing and slowing of tempos."<ref>Peter Dobrin, "Eschenbach to bow out in 2008". Philadelphia Inquirer, 21 October 2006.</ref>.

The paper also cited a number of accomplishments including a new recording contract and the appointment of nine musicians, four of which were principals.

He is credited with helping and supporting talented young musicians in their career development including soprano Renée Fleming, pianists Tzimon Barto and Lang Lang, and soprano Marisol Montalvo.

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Preceded by: Gerd Albrecht	Chief Conductor, Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra 1982–1986	Succeeded by: Hiroshi Wakasugi
Preceded by: Sergiu Comissiona	Music Director, Houston Symphony Orchestra 1988–1999	Succeeded by: Hans Graf
Preceded by: Herbert Blomstedt	Principal Conductor, North German Radio Symphony Orchestra 1998–2004	Succeeded by: Christoph von Dohnányi
Preceded by: Christoph von Dohnányi	Music Director, Orchestre de Paris 2000–	Succeeded by: incumbent
Preceded by: Wolfgang Sawallisch	Music Director, Philadelphia Orchestra 2003–2008	Succeeded by: incumbent (until 2008)