Metro buses display his cryptic likeness. A passionate countenance directing symphonic bliss. The face – new to Washington, but globally renowned – is that of German conductor Christoph Eschenbach, who officially began his tenure with the National Symphony Orchestra on Saturday to an appreciative capacity audience.
“It was music on the lighter side, but of the very, very first class,” Eschenbach said of the opening night program, in a recent interview with WRGW News. “We all felt wonderful.”
For the premiere, the maestro and his newly acquired flock shared the concert hall stage with two powerhouse soloists. On the heels of Johann Strauss II’s energetic overture to the operetta Die Fledermaus, American soprano Renee Fleming sang Richard Strauss’ ethereal Four Last Songs – a frequent repertoire – and Chinese pianist Lang Lang played Franz Liszt’s robust Piano Concerto No. 1.
But both special appearances on Saturday carried a layer of meaning and nostalgia far beyond that of an obligatory concert date. It is, after all, said that the two artists owe much of their global success to Eschenbach, who has mentored them – as a friend and colleague – for years. Fleming met the maestro in 1988, when she was a last minute replacement as the Countess Almaviva in Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro at the Houston Grand Opera. More recently, he encountered the 28-year-old virtuoso Lang Lang, with whom he shares great on-stage rapport and affection.
Eschenbach says the main reason he has felt the need to foster young talent, is in remembrance of how two musical greats invaluably guided him over four decades ago.
“I had the privilege to have one – or two – of the greatest conductors give me advice and help me. It was [Herbert von] Karajan and George Szell,” he said. “I learned not only music from them, and advice for life, but I learned also that it is very necessary to mentor young people.”
In addition to conducting the NSO, Eschenbach will also serve in the newly established position of music director for the Kennedy Center. His seasonal vision is not only the oft-expressed drive for enhanced orchestral quality, but effectively pairing time-honored classics with works by contemporary artists and composers. This pairing of old and new is said to be one of the anticipated hallmarks of his tenure.
“What makes this season unique is that it is a reflection of Christoph Eschenbach’s tastes and strengths, a combination of the core classical, and the exciting lesser-known.” said Nigel Boon, NSO director of artistic planning.
Starting Thursday, the NSO will begin to fulfill that vision, in its first performances of the regular season. For three nights the orchestra will perform Beethoven’s complete Ninth Symphony, along with a momentous Washington premiere of German composer Matthias Pintscher’s Herodiade Fragmente with soprano Marisol Montalvo.
“I like always to [counter] new pieces with famous old pieces to show that the old pieces are not old… [but] as vibrant as a contemporary piece," said Eschenbach. "And on the other hand, that the contemporary piece is worthy to stand aside Beethoven’s Ninth.”
Jared Pliner is News Director Emeritus, and hosts “News in Depth,” on Sundays from 12 to 1 p.m.
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