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.
