Carlos Izcaray 011615

Carlos Izcaray's official bio details his education: "Carlos Izcaray was born in Caracas into a family of several artistic generations. A representative of the new Venezuelan musical generation, at age 3 he was enrolled in Venezuela's public system of youth orchestras, continuing later from age 7 at the Emil Friedman Conservatory, one of the few schools in the world that promotes music as the root and essence of education. There, he was a boy chorister as well as an instrumentalist. He studied conducting with his father since he was a teenager, and went on to become a distinguished fellow at the American Academy of Conducting at Aspen. ... He is an alumnus of the Interlochen Arts Academy, New World School of the Arts, and Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University." (Renatas Neverbickas photo)

From Berlin to Birmingham.

That will be Carlos Izcaray's journey this year, as he assumes leadership of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.

The Venezuelan-born conductor, 37, has been announced as the new music director of the 53-member orchestra, taking over the baton from previous director Justin Brown.

Izcaray, who lives in Germany, will move to Alabama with his family later this year and begin his official tenure as maestro in September. He'll perform here with the ensemble, however, as music director designate during two concerts on Feb. 13-14.

Izcaray's appointment concludes an international search for Brown's successor that started in 2011. The symphony brought in a series of guest conductors for concerts that also served as hands-on job interviews, seeking a good fit for the performers, the organization and the community. Brown stepped down from the post in 2012 after six seasons at the helm of the orchestra, but retains the title of music director laureate.

"Carlos impressed us with his exceptional skills both on and off the podium, and I'm certain he'll be a major asset for Birmingham and the cultural life in the state of Alabama," said Curt Long, the orchestra's president, in a prepared statement.

Izcaray (pronounced "eez-ca-RYE") made his debut with the orchestra in September, guiding the ensemble through a program that featured Paul Dukas' "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," Hector Berlioz's "Symphonie fantastique" and James Macmillan's "The Confession of Isobel Gowdie." The conductor returned for a smaller concert in December, collaborating with some of the symphony's principals.

Izcaray said his experiences with the ASO led him to regard its players as "top-notch" musicians. Likewise, his encounters with the symphony's supporters led him to believe that Birmingham would be congenial and welcoming.

"First, I was impressed with the quality of the ensemble," Izcaray said during a phone interview. "I was also impressed by their seriousness and their interest in wanting to grow and stretch their already high boundaries. ... I was also impressed by the great charm and commitment of the donors. The whole Birmingham experience was very positive."

The new conductor has signed a four-year contract that involves up to 20 weeks per season. His salary has not been disclosed. During that time, Izcaray will lead the orchestra in variety of concerts and play a significant role in programming, education and community engagement.

Izcaray, who performs with music ensembles around the world, said he'll continue to pursue such opportunities in other states and countries. His resume includes engagements with the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra in Thailand, Macedonian Philharmonic, Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne in Switzerland, National Symphony Orchestra of Colombia, Malmo Symfoniorkester in Sweden, Wexford Festival Opera in Ireland, Bahia Symphony Orchestra in Brazil and many more.

Before assuming a conductor's role, Izcaray trained as a cellist and served as principal cello and artistic president of the Venezuela Symphony Orchestra. He's also a composer; his most recent orchestral piece, "Cota Mil," had its premiere in 2010 with the Orquesta Sinfonica Municipal de Caracas in Venezuela.

Although he'll be making a transcontinental leap from Berlin to Birmingham, Izcaray said the 5,000-mile move to the United States was a no-brainer. The conductor will be accompanied by his wife and two daughters (ages 4 and 2), and Izcaray said they're all ready for a Southern immersion.

"I find that it's essential, for what the symphony wants and I want for them, to be in the community," Izcaray said. "After the couple of the visits we've already had in Birmingham, I feel that I'm already getting to know the community and it's such a heartwarming experience. ... I'm a very curious person, and I've already visited the civil rights museum. I like places with a rich culture and history."

Just as important: Izcaray should have no problem integrating two Birmingham obsessions -- barbecue and football -- into his world view. Grillers are passionate in Argentina, Izcaray said; he enjoyed living and picnicking there for a few years.

Also, after spending his high-school years in Wisconsin, he's an avid Green Bay Packers fan. Although the conductor has yet to throw his allegiance to a college team, he's no stranger to the gridiron.

"I'm more of a Cheesehead," Izcaray said, laughing. "I hope that doesn't disappoint."