Risk Equals Musical Magic with Ángel Gil-Ordóñez

The Adrenaline Zone

Spotlight tight, hometown faces fill the hall – a mix of pride and pressure. Baton raised, you begin to lead the revered National Orchestra through a score that explodes into a whirlwind of notes demanding perfect harmony. Suddenly, a discordant note cuts through. The soloist, a celebrated artist in his own right, takes an unscheduled detour into a different Mozart concerto! Stunned, the orchestra looks up as one, eyes filled with bewilderment and fear trained squarely on you - a silent question hanging in the air: What do we do?

Welcome to the exhilarating world of contemporary music conducting as maestro Ángel Gil-Ordóñez joins Sandra and Sandy for a thoroughly enlightening episode. Co-founder of Washington D.C.'s PostClassical Ensemble, Ángel and his journey from Madrid to international acclaim shed light on the artistry and complexities of wielding the baton. Together with our hosts, he discusses some surprising parallels between engineering and music, the emotional rollercoaster of leading an orchestra, and his innovative methods for captivating new audiences with classical music. By exploring the significance of audience energy and the magic of spontaneity, this episode offers a captivating look at the conductor's life, including its various trials and triumphs. Tune in for an inspiring exploration of exactly how Ángel Gil-Ordóñez draws upon creativity and passion to bring music to vivid life.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 Start

0:33 Introduction

1:52 Where Ángel found his passion for music

5:48 Overlapping themes between engineering and music

6:38 The path to becoming a professional musician and conductor

11:57 The instruments Ángel plays

12:55 Composing music

16:04 Becoming a conductor

18:16 The role of the conductor

22:48 The impact of a conductor’s style

24:30 The process of bringing a piece of music to life

31:00 Composers whose work Ángel enjoys conducting

32:45 Finding humor in the music

34:27 Risks found in conducting

35:55 How Ángel’s approach to music has matured

38:19 His scariest performances

41:42 PostClassical Ensemble

Key Takeaways:

"Every time music happens, it’s different. It only exists the moment that it happens."

"If you play an instrument, you are a musician. I express my musicianship through conducting."

"Sound is not music. Sound under specific circumstances can become music."

"To me, the process is the most fascinating part about conducting."

"The conductor's role is to create tension through sound and bring it back to silence."

"The audience plays a crucial role in the performance. Their energy is there."

"Leave the opportunity for surprise. This is what makes the music exciting."

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Ángel Gil-Ordóñez: https://www.gilordonez.com/