Conductor Christoph Eschenbach on his inspirations, and how good Hong Kong Phil is, ahead of concert

This weekend international conductor Christoph Eschenbach will make his debut with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra in what promises to be a high point of the ensemble’s season.

The programme includes Tzimon Barto as soloist in Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F, and also Dvorak’s Carnival Overture and Brahms’ Symphony No 1.

Fresh from a four-week Asian tour with the Vienna Philharmonic, Eschenbach was full of praise for the Hong Kong players.

“The orchestra was so receptive, and technically was so good, that it was easy to get my ‘stamp’ on it,” says the youthful 75-year-old, whose conducting style is from the deep tradition of middle Europe but with a spontaneous spirit.

His conducting has sometimes been controversial, garnering comments about unpredictable tempos and disorganised rehearsals. However, in rehearsal with the Hong Kong Philharmonic for the Gershwin concerto this week, there was no hint of that. The tempos were taut and alive and the trumpet and flute solos had a relaxed flair.

“At the beginning of the slow movement, which is particularly jazzy, I told the clarinets and trumpets especially to play it very smoky, very dark, kind of like a New Orleans jazz bar.”