Denmark’s Copenhagen Philharmonic Announces Honorary Guest Conductor

According to an official statement by the Copenhagen Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO), they are highly looking forward to the new collaboration with Christoph Eschenbach.

"Copenhagen Phil is an orchestra with fabulous potential," wrote Eschenbach. "During my [first] visit in October, I felt a real involvement of every single musician and their joy in delivering amazing and refined sound while making beautiful music together."

“I am incredibly looking forward to sharing this enthusiasm with the Copenhagen audience at concerts of the highest quality,” he added. Eschenbach’s new position with the CPO will be supported by the Louis-Hansen Foundation.

Alongside his new role, Eschenbach will continue to serve as chief conductor of the Konzerthausorchester Berlin up until 2023. Additionally, he will guest conduct ensembles such as Germany’s Bamberg Symphony and Orchestre de Paris. 

Educated in Hamburg, his mentors included George Szell and Herbert von Karajan. In 1975, Eschenbach made his conducting debut with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra.

His many honors include the German Federal Cross of Merit, the Leonard Bernstein Prize, the 2015 Ernst von Siemens Music Prize. He was also made a Knight of France’s Legion of Honor.

“Eschenbach will be able to add an international dimension with experience from some of the leading international orchestras, and Copenhagen Phil will have the opportunity to continue the artistic development that the orchestra is in,” added Christine Wiberg-Lyng, Louis-Hansen Foundation’s fund director. “It is a development and an opportunity that the Foundation is happy to support.”

JOHANNES BRAHMS | SYMPHONY NO. 4 | KONZERTHAUSORCHESTER BERLIN | CHRISTOPH ESCHENBACH | 2020