In demand as a distinguished conductor with the finest orchestras and opera houses throughout the world, Christoph Eschenbach began his tenure in September 2010 as Music Director of the National Symphony Orchestra as well as Music Director of the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington D.C. Mentored by George Szell and Herbert von Karajan, Mr. Eschenbach held the posts of Artistic Director of the Tonhalle Orchestra from 1982 to 1986; Music Director of the Houston Symphony from 1988 to 1999; Music Director of the Ravinia Festival from 1994 to 2003; Music Director of the Norddeutscher Rundfunk Sinfonieorchester from 1998 to 2004; Artistic Director of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival from 1999 to 2002, and Music Director of the Orchestre de Paris between 2000 and 2010. A number of his critically acclaimed recordings have received prestigious honors including Gramophone “Editors Choice,” German Record Critics’ Award, 2009 MIDEM Classical Award in Contemporary Music, 2014 Grammy Award for Best Classical Compendium, among others.