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Christoph Eschenbach

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Christoph Eschenbach was born in 1940 in Breslau, now Wrocław, and is a German pianist and conductor. Orphaned by the war, he was raised by a cousin of his mother, who gave him piano lessons from 1948. At the age of eleven he saw Wilhelm Furtwängler conduct, an experience that made a deep impression on him. He studied piano and conducting at the Musikhochschule in Cologne and later in Hamburg. In 1962 he won the ARD piano competition, and a year later the Clara Haskil Competition in Vevey. In 1964 he made his first recording for Deutsche Grammophon, of music by Mozart. As a conductor he worked for more than three years with George Szell, among others.

Music and breakthrough

On record he released music for piano and for four hands in the 1970s, such as Préludes in 1972 and Four Hand Piano Music in 1973 and 1975, and in 1978 the first volumes of a series of songs in which he accompanied singers. Over the years he was chief conductor of thirteen orchestras worldwide. In 2014 he won a Grammy for an album of works by Paul Hindemith, and in 2015 he received the Ernst von Siemens Music Prize for his services to music.

Influence

Eschenbach is an example of the musician who moved from the piano to the conductor's podium. As a conductor he gave well-known symphonic works room for slow tempos and plenty of expression. He also played a role as a teacher and mentor of young musicians. His long career shows how the classical tradition of German music is handed down.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to a recording of Mozart's Sonata in D Major, K. 448, for two pianos and notice how the two pianists take up each other's melodies. Try to hear how the questions and answers between the two grand pianos sound.

Discography

Studio albums

Categories: Artists