Michael Isadore | Clarinetist & Conductor

Bio

As a conductor, Michael Isadore brings energetic, authentic, and musically moving performances of music from yesterday and today to the concert hall. Isadore currently serves as Associate Conductor with the Houston Civic Symphony and Philharmonia conductor of the Houston Youth Symphony. Isadore has also appeared as a frequent guest conductor with the Houston Sinfonietta and the Brazosport Symphony Orchestra. Isadore's schedule also includes a myriad of other projects such as Gilbert and Sullivan's "Mikado" and Handel's "Messiah," along with numerous grand choral and chamber music performances throughout the Houston area.

A champion of contemporary music, Isadore has collaborated with composers, conducted premieres and exposed orchestras and audiences to the works of Michael Torke, Michael Daugherty, Libby Larsen, Ingrid Stolzel, David Heuser and John Mackey. Recently, Isadore brought local Rice University composer, Pierre Jalbert into a rehearsal to discuss and work with the orchestra on his work Autumn Rhapsody, allowing the ensemble to focus their performance on the composer's motivation and inspiration of the composition. Feeling that contemporary music should not be relegated to professionals, Isadore is known to introduce contemporary composers and literature to young ensembles whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Since work with young musicians has played an important part of his career, Isadore has developed a detailed rehearsal strategy and creative ways to spark imagination in order to communicate the most advanced musical concepts, which proves applicable to any level of musician. Each year, he is invited to work with a variety of middle and high school students via a variety of clinics and conducting workshops. In 2010, Isadore received an award granted by the Houston Symphony for his commitment to Education and Artistic Excellence.

Drawing on his experience as an orchestral clarinetist, Isadore combines the disciplines of player and conductor to draw out the talents and musical ideas of the orchestra, and therefore, fosters meaningful relationships with both the performing musicians and the audience.

Personal Note

I am often asked, since I am a conductor, why I still perform on clarinet as many conductors no longer perform instrumentally. The truth is, I believe both disciplines directly affect each other and make the individual one better. The aural skills and score study developed from conducting allow me to hear my orchestral part in greater context. On the flipside, performing in orchestras for a variety of conductors provides a constant "masterclass" of ideas and techniques which enable me to improve and refine my conducting craft.

Another important element of my musical philosophy is the inclusion of contemporary music in my programs. Whether it is with chamber music recitals or orchestral programs, contemporary music often plays an important part in the construction of the program. One past program included a programmatic work of Mendelssohn and Daugherty. The möbius chamber ensemble gained a reputation of performing diverse repertoire and instrumentation. A listener would come to the concert and hear unaccompanied Bach as well as unaccompanied Messiaen on the same program.

Although I am not a composer, I believe that music is a living art form and needs to be constantly explored in order to grow. I feel the orchestra also reaps benefits from performance of contemporary music in that the interpretation and technical skills needed from start to performance are often more demanding than works which are often repeatedly performed. The result is that the orchestra can view the standard repertoire from a new frame of reference after a recent performance or collaboration with a composer.

Regardless of the performance genre, I always believe that the driving force behind all performances should be the music and I strive to convey this to the performers and the audience through my actions. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, engagements, or general discussion.