Poland's NFM Wrocław Philharmonic Appoints New Artistic Director

The 83-year-old German conductor Christoph Eschenbach will return to the city of his birth on September 1, 2024

The renowned German conductor Christoph Eschenbach will return to Wrocław, Poland — the city of his birth — to take up the position of Artistic Director at the NFM Wrocław Philharmonic. He will step into the role on September 1, 2024, with his initial contract continuing until the end of the 2028/2029 season.

Eschenbach studied piano with Eliza Hansen and conducting with Wilhelm Brückner-Rüggeberg. Professionally, his career began with the piano — he won first prize at the ARD Competition and the Concours Clara Haskil — but conducting soon began to play a central role in his work.

Having received mentoring from conductors as illustrious as George Szell and Herbert von Karajan, Eschenbach's first major position was as Principal Conductor at the Tonhalle Orchestra in Zurich. Additional music directorships he has held include those at the Houston Symphony, the NDR Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Orchestre de Paris.

Eschenbach has received a range of honors for his work, including France's Légion d’Honneur and the German Federal Cross of Merit.

"Coming back home to Wroclaw and becoming a member of the NFM family is a deeply emotional moment in my life," Eschenbach said. "My promise to the orchestra, the public and the community, is to offer my musical universe and do everything in my power to develop this great institution. I am very happy to embark on this journey and cannot wait for all the great moments that lie ahead of us."

"After eighty years, Christoph Eschenbach returns to the place of his birth to accept the position of Artistic Director of the NFM Wrocław Philharmonic," said NFM Director Andrzej Kosendiak. "Fate writes the most unusual and beautiful scenarios."

"We are looking forward to wonderful concerts, to beauty and emotions. Maestro, welcome home!"