Conductor

Inspiration comes with work

The requirements of what make a good conductor grow each day. It is not enough for one to be impeccably prepared, to be as flexible as possible, have good technique and vast knowledge before one stands in front of an orchestra. For a conductor to meet the expectations of today, one must be a fair interpreter to all historical styles, to shape an orchestral color based on such references and to deliver great results within the shortest possible time. The 21st century conductor must be able to learn fast, to search and find his own musical language aside from all historical legacies inherited. One must be able to adapt to the digital age and be an ambassador of classical music to wide audiences.

Viktor Ilieff in the press

"Viktor Ilieff replaces star conductor briliantly. (...) encouraging lively tempo changes, with accurate handling of the complexed rhythmical ornamentation differences." - Westfalen Blatt 09.01.2011
"It was Enchanting to observe Ilieff in his conducting. (...) rich melodic passages were pouring out (...)" - Münsterlandzeitung, 15.11.2010
"A very special musical event (...) On his Germany-wide tour in 2008 and 2009, it has already caused a lot of sensation and enthusiasm." - Ostsee-Zeitung, 24.09.2010
"This was also primarily due to the high level of the orchestral playing, under the friendly, very precise and vivid direction of the conductor." - Märkische Allgemeine, 23.6.2009
"A spectacular finale of the good two-hour long program, which ended with encores and long applause." - Neue Rhein/Ruhr Zeitung, 10.11.2008

Westfalen Blatt, 09.01.2011

Viktor Ilieff replaces star conductor briliantly. (...) encouraging lively tempo changes, with accurate handling of the complexed rhythmical ornamentation differences.

Münsterlandzeitung, 15.11.2010

It was Enchanting to observe Ilieff in his conducting. (...) rich melodic passages were pouring out (...)

Ostsee-Zeitung, 24.09.2010

A very special musical event (...) On his Germany-wide tour in 2008 and 2009, it has already caused a lot of sensation and enthusiasm.

Märkische Allgemeine, 23.6.2009

This was also primarily due to the high level of the orchestral playing, under the friendly, very precise and vivid direction of the conductor.

Neue Rhein/Ruhr Zeitung, 10.11.2008

A spectacular finale of the good two-hour long program, which ended with encores and long applause.

Being a conductor

Understanding composers

Being a composer facing similar challenges can be of a significant advantage to understanding the intentions of each composer.

Knowing technical difficulties

Each composition has its technical challenges. When they are recognized, one can learn by heart a work within a very short time.

Loving diversity in music

We have nowadays unlimited access to music from Monteverdi to Sciarrino, which gives us a broad overview of the past and the future.

Working with different artists

A few things can be as inspiring as the work with artists from different fields. Often, a discovery occurs when creativity and exchange meet.

Finding an orchestral color

To find an orchestral color suitable for each composition or phrase is an important task for many conductors. It is one of the means of expression that helps us to emphasize on the emotional characteristics of a musical passage. A single note played with warmer or cooler sound can transmit completely different message to the listener. This combined with articulation and tempo abbreviation, which is right for each conductor, helps us to re-live eternal music again and again, discovering something new each time as we steadily grow as musicians.