My wife Sheralyn and I have loved coming to Jones Hall to watch our world class Houston Symphony Orchestra led by director, Maestro Andres Orozco-Estrada. Besides being a young dynamic conductor, Maestro Estrada has been a warm, wonderful man displaying his love of the great music of the masters.
This from the Houston Symphony Orchestra’s website: “Energy, elegance and spirit—these are the qualities that distinguish Andrés Orozco-Estrada as a musician. Since the 2014–15 season, he has been music director of the Houston Symphony and principal conductor of the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra.”
Also, from the HSO site: “The talent, collaborative spirit, and personality of every musician on stage, combined with the energy we receive from the audience, are the aspects of Houston I have missed the most, and I can’t wait to return,” said Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada. [For the 2020/21 season] “The level of musicianship in our orchestra is second to none, and I’m looking forward to showing this artistry through these works of art. Audiences will also get the chance to see members of the orchestra performing alongside renowned guest artists, which is a testament to our musicians’ world-class virtuosity.”
Sadly [for Sheralyn and I], as Maestro Estrada is becoming the chief conductor of the Vienna Symphony, the 2021/2022 HSO season will be the last one as the director of the Houston Symphony Orchestra. He will be giving his farewell concert as the HSO director on May 1, 2022. On the HSO website: “Known for his transformative interpretation of Mahler’s masterworks during his tenure, Orozco-Estrada conducts the epic and dramatic Symphony No. 2, Resurrection, in his farewell concert Apr. 29–May 1.”
Sheralyn and I, and I believe all Houstonians, want to thank you Maestro Andres Orozco-Estrada on your wonderful tenure as the HSO director. We will miss you, and wish you all the best as you continue your amazing career in music. You have brought us so much joy and pleasure conducting the Houston Symphony Orchestra.
While we are sad to see Maestro Orozco-Estrada tenure as our director end, we are happy to welcome in Slovak, Juraj Valcuha, as the new director of Houston Symphony Orchestra beginning the 2022/2023 season. The announcement of Maestro Valcuha, as the music director designate of the orchestra, was made by the HSO a couple of weeks ago, in mid July.
From the HSO website: “Conductor Juraj Valčuha is recognized for his effortless expressiveness and depth of musicianship. With sharp baton technique and natural stage presence, the impressive ease of his interpretations translate even the most complex scores into immersive experiences. His profound understanding of composer and score, taste, and naturally elegant style make him one of the most sought-after conductors of his generation.”
“Juraj Valčuha was awarded the Premio Abbiati 2018 from Italian Music critics in the category Best Conductor. Born in Bratislava, Slovakia, he studied composition and conducting in his birth place, then at the Conservatory in St Petersburg (with Ilya Musin), and, finally, at the Conservatoire Supérieur de la Musique in Paris.”
Welcome to Houston, Maestro Valcuha! I know you will make our world class Houston Symphony Orchestra proud! Looking forward to seeing you lead our orchestra beginning in the 2022/2023 HSO season.
Please turn up the volume and play in full screen and watch first the HSO current director, Andres Orozco-Estrada as he leads the Tonkunstler Orchestra in Mozart’s playful, Marriage of Figaro Overture. Then watch, as our new musical director designate, Juraj Valcuha, leads the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra in Rachmaninoff’s dramatic, energetic and virtuosic Piano Concerto #3.
W.A. Mozart: Marriage of Figaro Overture: [led by Andres Orozco-Estrada]
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto #3 in d minor: [Juraj Valcuha conducting]
Classical Music With Big Mike 