arts & entertainment: p r o f i l e
Q&A WITH AndrÉs Orozco-ESTRADA Houston Symphony Music Director b y Va l o n i a Wa l k e r
H
ouston Symphony Music Director, Andrés Orozco-Estrada, discovered his gift for music at a young age and after his first musical encounter he dreamed of nothing but music. He attended a music school to develop his talents and it was there that the Colombia native realized he had found his true love – conducting. This will be his second season conducting with the Houston Symphony orchestra.
PHOTO BY Sam Krisch
Orozco-Estrada took time to answer a few question about his musical beginnings and the upcoming performance season. When did you first start conducting?
I began conducting at age 15 when I conducted the youth orchestra of my school in Medellin. The conductor of my orchestra at the time would catch a glimpse of me making conductor gestures, so one day she suggested that I should give it a try, and I did. She asked me to step in to substitute for her, and I have never looked back after that. I fell in love with conducting. Your whole body seems to move when you are conducting. Physically, what is the most difficult part about conducting?
Conducting indeed demands physical endurance and a great deal of energy, not to mention the ability to maintain such energy for long periods of time, both in rehearsals and during the concerts. I usually stretch before and after each performance. I try to focus mentally and physically before stepping foot onto the stage because each interaction with the orchestra requires high levels of concentration. You conduct with so much passion. When you hear music for the first time what goes through your mind?
Each piece has a backstory filled with emotion, energy and a unique story to tell. It is impossible not to feel the music from the beginning, even just by reading the score. The first thing that crosses my mind when studying a score or rehearsing a piece is the composer’s intention with the piece, what he wanted to express with each of the notes written. I can only be faithful and respectful to each masterpiece; I try to exude everything the music evokes and wants to say. The Symphony has a reputation for presenting new, innovative works along with the traditional. Do you think it's important to augment the traditional professional orchestral repertoire with contemporary works and, if so, what are your pl ans for doing so?
I think it’s important to present to audiences variety and diversity in the types of works we perform, from the widely known classic masterworks to the music of today. This is one of the many ways we can connect with audiences on a deeper level. I truly value and encourage the meaningful relationships we’re able to foster between living composers and audiences. Our ongoing collaborations with contemporary composers such as Gabriela Lena Frank, who is now in her second season as the Houston Symphony’s composer-in-residence, are evidence of those efforts.
Who is your favorite musician and why?
It’s very hard to say. There are too many talented artists to choose from, not only performers but also composers. I´ve had the chance to meet a number of amazing musicians throughout my career, with each of the orchestras I have played with and the soloists I have worked with. I have also learned a great deal from endless number of musicians that have written the wonderful music that now I´m fortunate enough to perform in each concert. Each masterpiece I´ve studied and performed has an incredible mind behind it. This summer you and members of the Symphony traveled to Colombia for the Colombian Youth Philharmonic Dual Residency program. What is it like to provide mentorship to young musicians in Colombia who aspire to be in your shoes one day, and what advice do you give them?
It is extremely rewarding for me and my colleagues at the Houston Symphony to provide mentoring opportunities for these young musicians. Most of us, myself included, didn’t have an opportunity to be coached by professional orchestral musicians growing up. For us to be able to do that for the future generation of orchestral musicians, it’s a real treat. My advice to young musicians is to never stop learning and growing and to never feel like there’s a limit in how much they can grow or aspire to be. Is there a particul ar performance/music selection this fall that will surprise the audience?
I’m particularly looking forward for audiences listening to pianist Emanuel Ax perform Brahm´s majestic Piano Concerto No. 2, Pilgrimage of the Rose, a rare masterpiece by Schumann, and last but not least Mahler’s Symphony No. 5. What are your favorite things to do in Houston when you have free time?
To be honest, my free time in Houston is unfortunately non-existent! But I try to make some time to be with my family, enjoy the wonderful places you can find in Houston, and of course the people, who are always incredibly warm and friendly. My family and I feel at home any time we are in Houston.
FALL 2015
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