Andrés Orozco-Estrada |
Photo: Julie Soefer
The Houston
Symphony and Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada announced the extension of
Orozco-Estrada’s contract as music director for another three seasons beyond
his current five-year contract that began with the 2014-15 season. In the
middle of his third season as music director, Orozco-Estrada will now continue
to lead one of America’s most dynamic and forward-thinking orchestras through
the 2021-22 season.
Orozco-Estrada is the fourth Houston Symphony
music director to hold the Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair, a position endowed in perpetuity by The Cullen Foundation. Since
assuming the post, Orozco-Estrada has elevated the orchestra’s artistry,
engaged new and traditional audiences with his spontaneous approach on and off
the podium, reimagined the concert-going experience through unique partnerships
and the innovative use of technology, and raised the international profile of
the Houston Symphony. Orozco-Estrada's priorities will include dynamic and
memorable concerts, a growing catalog of recording projects, the commissioning
of new works in collaboration with living composers, and touring activity that
is helping to burnish Houston’s reputation as a cultural destination.
Orozco-Estrada is the Houston Symphony’s 15th music
director and the first Colombian-born conductor to assume this post in the
orchestra’s 104-year history.
“I feel extremely honored to continue this
journey together with the musicians of this great orchestra,” said Houston
Symphony Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada. “I’m grateful for the support
and the vote of confidence given to me from day one and very much look forward
to strengthening my relationships with members of the orchestra. We will
continue to explore inspiring new works and projects that allow us to embrace
new and loyal audiences as well as further our artistic growth.”
“Andrés’ leadership, artistic vision and
ability to interpret music so genuinely that it evokes powerful feelings and
emotions from both musicians and audiences alike is both a gift and a driving
force that reminds us that music is more than just notes,” said Mark C. Hanson,
Executive Director and CEO, Margaret Alkek Williams Chair. “Andrés’ depth
of musicianship, extraordinary ability to connect with orchestra members on
stage and people in the community, along with his dedication to the art form,
have earned him the respect and admiration of so many fans throughout Houston
and the rest of the world.”
"My fellow Board members and I are so proud of the successful partnership between Andrés and our talented musicians that produces so many inspiring concerts each season,” said Steven P. Mach, President of the Board. “We look forward to continuing to support our organization's artistic ambition."
The announcement comes just days before
Orozco-Estrada leads two programs marking the conclusion of his three-season
cycle of all nine Beethoven symphonies, which began in his inaugural season and
will conclude with Symphonies No. 6 & 7 this weekend and a new, semi-staged
production of Beethoven's Fidelio on
March 31 and April 2. This much-anticipated announcement also follows the
international release of the Houston Symphony’s and Orozco-Estrada’s most
recent recordingof Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9, which is part of a 3-disc series
featuring Dvořák’s last four symphonies. The series marks Orozco-Estrada’s
first commercial recording project with the orchestra.
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