On January 11th and 12th, the Houston Symphony reunites once again with former music director, Christoph Eschenbach in celebration of his 85th birthday and Bruckner’s 200th anniversary birthday. Though they were born more than a century apart, Eschenbach shares a connection with Bruckner as if they were close friends.
It has been recorded that Bruckner would obsess over revising his works, restoring them, and even replacing whole movements. In preparation for a Bruckner piece, Eschenbach meticulously picks a specific version and even substitutes certain movements or finales from other versions. After all, Eschenbach is said to have a gift for understanding the peculiarity in Bruckner’s works after making his conducting debut with Bruckner’s Symphony No. 3. Both artists, starting as humble musicians, have transformed the future of classical music.
Anton Bruckner
- Born September 4, 1824
- Started as an organist early on as a child from his father and was later sent to school to study under Johann Baptist Weiß to refine his skills as a musician.
- From 1841, Bruckner began teaching general subjects while pursuing lessons and studies as an organist and composing on the side.
- In 1855 Bruckner began his study period, getting an education in music theory, counterpoint and largely teaching music himself.
- In 1861, he was introduced to Richard Wagner and became acquainted with Franz Liszt, who was also Catholic and a harmonic innovator initiating the New German School, a term used to describe trends in German music.
- From 1868, Bruckner resided in Vienna where he taught music at the Vienna Conservatory and University where he wrote symphonies, masses, choral works, chamber works, etc.
- Bruckner passed away at the age of 72 in 1896. His body buried below his favorite organ in Vienna.
- Due to the improving recording technologies, Bruckner’s music lived beyond his death into the 20th century. His compositions were well-received and celebrated in Nazi Germany. Hitler went as far as restoring the monastery in which Bruckner played the organ and founding the Bruckner Symphony Orchestra.
Christoph Eschenbach
- Born February 20, 1940
- Started as a pianist taught by his mother’s cousin, Wallydore Eschenbach, who had adopted him in 1946 when his parents and grandmother had passed away. His parents were both musicians and studied/taught music.
- He enrolled in the Cologne University of Music in 1955 where he studied piano and conducting.
- The start of his conducting career begins as the principal guest conductor of the Tonhalle-Orchester Zurich in Switzerland and eventually taking over as the chief conductor.
- In the US, Eschenbach was appointed music director of the Houston Symphony from 1988 to 1999. He took the orchestra on tours to Asia and Europe under his tenure and made several recordings with Koch International Classics and RCA. This was thought of to be a high point in the symphony’s history.
- The city of Houston placed the first bronze star in front of our very own Jones Hall to commemorate his leadership. See if you can spot the star on your way in!
- From 2003 to 2007, Eschenbach directed the Philadelphia Orchestra and continued his guest-conducting into the 2010 season. In more recent years, you can catch Eschenbach conducting around Europe from Germany to Denmark to Poland. But on January 11th and 12th, Eschenbach reunites with the Houston Symphony!
