Blog Series: In Vienna w/ KTRK TV & Andrés Orozco-Estrada - Post #1

Mark Hanson, Houston Symphony’s Executive Director/CEO, reports from Vienna:
[To read the other blogs in this series, click here].

I am writing from Vienna, Austria, where I have joined up with a television crew from our official television partner KTRK Channel 13. The TV crew, which includes anchor Gina Gaston, has travelled all of this way to spend several days with our Music Director Designate Andrés Orozco-Estrada.

Gina Gaston interviewing Andrés Orozco-Estrada inside the Musikverein.

Already today, Gina has interviewed Andrés at the Musikverein following his morning dress rehearsal. Following this hour-long interview, we all walked onto stage to scope out camera positions that will be used during this evening’s Tonkünstler Orchester Niederösterrich concert. Andrés is happily allowing the crew to affix a small wide-lens video camera to his music stand throughout the all-Mozart concert. This camera view is unbelievable as it captures both Andrés’ expressive conducting and the Musikverein’s ornate ceiling. Channel 13 cameraman, Raul, will be positioned at the rear of the hall in the standing room only section, while cameraman, Andre, will be standing just behind the first violins on stage! Gina, Channel 13’s Kim Nordt-Jackson and I will be seated in the audience cheering on our incoming maestro.

Sign outside Vienna's University of Music and Performing Arts. — Sign outside Vienna’s mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts.

Earlier in the day, we spent several hours at Vienna’s mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts visiting with faculty and current conducting students, all of whom are extremely proud of their alumnus Andrés Orozco-Estrada. At the age of 18, Andrés moved from his native Colombia to study conducting at the University. Without knowing a word of German, he quickly made a big impression on his teachers and fellow students. (The TV crew and I get to spend time with one of his classmates – his wife Julia – on Sunday evening.) Today, Gina interviewed Ulrike Sych, the University’s Vice Rector of Academic Affairs and the Advancement of Women, and Andrea Kleibel, the University’s Vice Rector of International and Public Relations. Professor Sych shared memories of when Andrés was one of her voice students! Raul and Andre also captured video footage of a conducting class in session.

Following a lunch of weinerschnitzel and potato salad, we have all returned to our hotel to rest before this evening’s Tonkünstler Orchester Niederösterrich concert. The crew will be in their concert positions by the time the audience is allowed into the hall at 7 pm. We are all most excited about hearing Andrés’ interpretation of Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony, a work that Andrés will conduct with the Houston Symphony in January, 2014.
[To read the other blogs in this series, click here].