I would like to let you, as a member of our subscriber and donor family, know about some important news regarding our music director, Christoph Eschenbach.
Today, Maestro Eschenbach announced that he will conclude his tenure as music director at the end of the 2007-08 season. This decision comes after he has accomplished many of the goals he set forth for our Orchestra. We believe that he now feels it is time for the Orchestra to begin the process of looking for his successor.
Accepting his decision is hard for all of us at The Philadelphia Orchestra. An incredible musician, Maestro Eschenbach has done amazing things for our Orchestra. In addition to the many, many exciting concerts we have all enjoyed, he was responsible for helping put together a ground-breaking recording contract, appointing many musicians, leading the Orchestra on incredible tours around the world, and helping us grow our endowment and reach deeper into our community. I hope you join me in sharing your support, respect, and admiration for the Maestro when he returns to Philadelphia in mid-November.
We wish him well in all of his new endeavors and know that, as our music director for both the current season and the following season, he will bring great music to all of us.