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." Keep the adrenaline rush going at: Homepage: theadrenalinezone.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theadrenalinezone/ X: https://twitter.com/Adrenalinezonep TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theadrenalinezone Ángel Gil-Ordóñez: https://www.gilordonez.com/
