ConcertPulse
Andrés Orozco-Estrada, Christiane Karg
Konzerthalle Bamberg, Joseph-Keilberth-Saal (Bamberg)
Love is one of those things: on the one hand, it is the most beautiful thing in the world, heaven on earth, the fulfilment of all our longings. Yet it is also often complicated, sometimes even exhausting – and unfortunately often the cause of great sorrow. Love is also the central theme of our internationally sought-after guest conductor's wonderful wish list for his programme in Bamberg: the native of Colombia, who will be Cologne’s new General Music Director from 2025, brings plenty of South American temperament and charisma to the stage in his performances. Andrés Orozco-Estrada wanted to become a musician from an early age – even though he pursued a second vocation for football for some time, seeing himself as a kind of »conducting goalkeeper«. In any case, »dealing with people« was and remains important to him to this day. In addition to works from his home country, the Viennese classical and modern periods, he is particularly fond of the romantic repertoire. And one hobbyhorse he likes to ride from the conductor's podium is the downright musical frenzy of the »Symphonie fantastique«, which revolves around the love of an artist for an unattainable actress. Debussy’s Faun is not really happy either, as the sensual piece only indulges in memories of beautiful nymphs. Christiane Karg interprets Mahler’s at times world-wearisome »Rückert-Lieder« – where at one point it says: »I live alone in my heaven, in my love, in my song!« Highly emotional pieces full of highs and lows perfectly suited to Andrés Orozco-Estrada – who, together with the orchestra musicians, always wants to »bring out every little detail«, but »ultimately wants to go about his work not only with a lot of intelligence, but also with a lot of heart«.
