From Colombia: Andrés Orozco-Estrada

Energy, elegance and spirit — Andrés Orozco-Estrada believes that these factors are what distinguish him as a musician.

Born in Colombia, Orozco-Estrada began his musical education by playing the violin, receiving his first conducting lessons at the age of 15. In 1997, he moved to Vienna, where he was accepted into the conducting class of Uroš Lajovic, a student of the legendary Hans Swarowsky, at the renowned Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst.

Previously, Orozco-Estrada was the music director of the Houston Symphony Orchestra (2014-22), principal conductor of the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra (2014-21) and chief conductor of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra (2020-22). Guest conducting appearances include the Vienna Philharmonic, the Berlin Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra and more. Orozco-Estrada’s opera experience includes leading orchestras at the Berlin and Vienna state operas, and the Salzburg Festival, among others.

By all accounts, he was a transformative figure in Houston. A farewell tribute published in Houstonia magazine offered this assessment: “Orozco-Estrada leaves the Houston Symphony a much stronger organization, with vigorous connections to a new diverse and varied audience. Thanks to him, the orchestra is energized and a slew of more youthful musicians has joined its ranks. Live broadcasts and chats from the stage are now commonplace. While Houston has much to thank him for, he insists that he’s grateful to the Symphony and the city for its support over the years.”

In response, Orozco-Estrada said, “Thanks is too small a word to convey what I feel, really, but I want to say thank you for letting me explore new roads musically. And for letting me create music that was authentic, honest and heartfelt. Thank you for letting me express my musical ideas alongside an exemplary orchestra with a marvelous public that supported us. Thank you for your applause and your interest.”

Andrés Orozco-Estrada opens the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s 2024-2025 season with two concerts Sept. 19-20 and also leads the CSO in its gala Symphony Ball performance Sept. 21.