The Beethoven festival

Alondra de la Parra: “With young musicians that can happen to magic”

On the Beethoven festival, the Mexican conductor directs this year, the national youth orchestra. She is looking forward to the reunion with a longtime friend and colleague, told you in the Interview.

Already at the age of seven she played piano, and later Cello. The Mexican conductor, Alondra de la Parra studied composition and Conducting in Mexico city and New York. Meanwhile, the 35-Year-old several world class orchestras as a guest conductor before coming in 2017 as music Director and chief conductor of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, one of the most important orchestras of Australia.

Her concert in the “Palacio de Bellas Artes” in Mexico city, on 6. June 2016, opened Mexico’s “year of Germany”. Musicians of the national youth orchestra supported the “Orquesta Escuela Carlos Chávez” in the works of Ludwig van Beethoven and Silvestre Revueltas. 15. September Alondra de la Parra directs a Campus concert of the national youth orchestra together with the state youth orchestra of North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as Mexican soloists, a Gemineschaftsprojekt the Beethovenfest and the DW. The program includes the world premiere of “Room g,” a Deutsche Welle commissioned piece by the Mexican composer Enrico Chapela.

DW: In the past summer, brings together young musicians from Germany and Mexico in an orchestra. To what is the led?

Alondra de la Parra: Both the national youth orchestra and the orchestra Carlos Chávez were very well prepared, therefore, only sound and rhythm had to be brought in harmony. This was extremely exciting. I was very glad to have you both Beethoven as well as Revueltas play. Beethoven is known everywhere, even in Mexico, this Generation of German musicians was also happy to see on our Repertoire once.

Last summer, the conductor opened the “Germany year” in the “Palacio de Bellas Artes” in Mexico city

They often work together with young people? What is the special about it?

I love to work with you because you challenge me in a different way. Sometimes I have to explain something to you, normally this requires no explanation, but the opposite may be the case. Sometimes young musicians to understand something immediately, for the professionals for a very long time need. With this unpolished Talent, magical things can happen. Also, I love mixed orchestra, because they offer the musicians a greater range of experiences. Let us remember that music has the task to connect people, to share emotions, ideas and images.

You have conducted works by Enrico Chapela. How was the collaboration with the composer, and what do you think about his music?

Precision and hard work can lead to magical results, says de la Parra

Enrico’s since the beginning of my career, a friend and colleague. One of the first pieces I conducted in New York, was “Ínguesu”, music he had written on the Basis of a football game. We even went to the same school, just not at the same time, since he is much older than I am. He is an exciting composer, because his music always has a story. His in-depth Research leads to the fact that at the end of each Note has its justified place. I love to work with Enrico. It is really great with him to speak about his music and his creative process involved.

What can you say about chapela’s new work, the you will be conducting in Bonn?

In the case of Enrico, there is always a story. This work is from the period after the Mexican Revolution, and before the First world war as the governments of Mexico and Germany met to discuss a possible Alliance. So there is an interesting story behind it. In the various German as well as Mexican characters come from this time. In addition, a miracle will be full of guitarist: Pablo Garibay. This is a great idea.

You have a number of young successful conductor on the inside.

Do you have a favorite piece of Beethoven?

Of course, every Note written by Beethoven is terrific, but I think my favorite is the “Eroica”, his 3. Symphony. It is written so incredibly well. It is capable of so much beauty and so much depth. This piece just has so much to say.

The Interview was conducted by Kathrin Lemke