MIGUEL DEL AGUILA
Grammy-Nominated American Composer*
“Vibrant colorful music pulsating with a tremendous rhythmic vitality”
Fanfare
“Elegant and affectionate music, a delicious send-up of Minimalism”
The New York Times
*
Three-time Grammy® nominated American composer Miguel del Aguila creates distinctive, innovative modern classical music. A leading voice in contemporary concert music, his catalogue of over 140 compositions brings vibrant rhythmic energy and drama to the modern orchestral and chamber repertoire.
Selected Collaborations & Orchestral Performances
With over 200 annual performances worldwide, the music of Miguel del Aguila is regularly presented by leading international orchestras, festival ensembles, and premier soloists across the globe.
Prominent Orchestras & Ensembles:
Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO), Los Angeles Philharmonic (LA Phil), Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, OSESP (São Paulo Symphony), Norwegian Radio Orchestra, BBC Symphony, Toronto Symphony, Staatskapelle Weimar, Brandenburgisches Staatsorchester, Minnesota Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, Nashville Symphony, Sphinx Virtuosi, LA Chamber Orchestra (LACO).
Conductors & Collaborators:
Leonard Slatkin, Lukas Foss, Marin Alsop, JoAnn Falletta, Giancarlo Guerrero, Carlos Miguel Prieto, Gerard Schwarz, Miguel Harth-Bedoya, and Guillermo Figueroa.
Major Awards & Honors:
Three-time GRAMMY® nominee, Kennedy Center Friedheim Award, New Music USA (Music Alive & Magnum Opus awards), Lancaster Symphony Composer of the Year, and the Aaron Copland Fund for Music among others.
Artistic Vision
“I strive to write music that is sincere and that stirs intense emotions in the performer and listener—music that expresses my humanity, my times, my geography, and my Latin heritage. Often rhythmically driven and virtuosic, I am always concerned with its dramatic effectiveness. I don’t think in terms of trends or current styles of composition: the story that my music is telling determines its sound and form.”
Critical Acclaim
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“dependably brilliant.” — The New Yorker Magazine
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“witty, and sonically dazzling… a whirlwind of energy.” — Los Angeles Times
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“…disarmingly charming…” — Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Zurich
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“…his music dances with fiery rhythms…with near to obsessive vitality…” — Wiener Zeitung, Vienna
- “…a composer with a mature, assured voice… uniquely accessible yet adventurous writing…” — Opera Now Magazine, London
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“Expressive, inventive, and deeply moving music of the highest caliber.” — Gramophone
- “lush lyricism…sweeping, mysterious grandeur from the orchestra. chilling and effective.” — Nathan Faro American Record Guide
August 2026 SELECTED PERFORMANCES
OF MIGUEL DEL AGUILA’S MUSIC
WindSync Plays Miguel del Aguila: Music for Winds
#1 Billboard Traditional Classical Chart (2024)
Label: Azica Records | Recording Location: Abbey Road Studios, London
Performers: WindSync (Wind Quintet)
Featured Compositions: Wind Quintets and Trios by Miguel del Aguila
“A high-spirited album recorded at Abbey Road Studios, featuring virtuosic wind chamber music, rich Latin rhythms, and dynamic storytelling.”
Listen & Purchase: Amazon Spotify AppleMusic Tidal Pandora
#1 Place on Billboard Magazine Traditional Classical Chart 2024
Album Debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Traditional Classical Chart in 2024.
GRAMMY® Recognized Albums
3 GRAMMY® Nominations
Best Contemporary Classical Composition — Concierto en Tango (Built for Buffalo)
Best Classical Album — Salón Buenos Aires
Best Contemporary Classical Composition — Salón Buenos Aires, Op. 84
Best Contemporary Classical Composition — Clocks, Op.58
Two landmark recordings featuring world-class performances by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (conducted by JoAnn Falletta) and Camerata San Antonio. Driven by bold Latin‑tango rhythms, vivid string virtuosity, and orchestral colors. Charged with high drama.
2015 Grammy Nomination: Best Contemporary Classical Composition
Featured Work: Concierto en Tango, Op. 110
Performers: Roman Mekinulov (cello), Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, JoAnn Falletta (cond.)
Release: Beau Fleuve / BPO Label
A virtuosic cello concerto blending passionate tango rhythms with sweeping orchestral instrumentation.
2010 GRAMMY NOMINATIONS: Best Classical Album & Best Contemporary Classical Composition
Featured Works: Salón Buenos Aires, Presto II, Charango Capriccioso, Clocks,
Performers: Camerata San Antonio
Release: Bridge Records (BRIDGE 9302)
High-energy string and wind chamber music showcasing rhythmic ostinatos and theatrical dramatic contrast.
NEW RELEASE: BLUE SAMBA
A New Album of Piano Four-Hands & Chamber Works by Miguel del Aguila
Label: Odradek Records
Performers: Duo Powers-De La Torre & Ensemble
Worldwide Digital Release Date: October 9, 2026
An exciting new release featuring piano four-hands repertoire and chamber works filled with infectious Latin dance rhythms, jazzy swing harmonies, and dramatic storytelling.
EXCLUSIVE PRE-RELEASE CD OFFER:
Order Physical CD Now for $10 (+ Shipping)
Get your physical copy early before the digital release on October 9, 2026!
Email to order: riclavier@hotmail.com
Blue Samba - New Album Release on Odradek Records October 2026
NEW WORKS
Soaked Cobblestones, Op. 142
For Flute and Clarinet
A new 5-minute duo work finished and premiered in 2026.
When Sound Left, Op. 141
For Woodwind Quintet (with optional narrator)
Co-commissioned and premiered in 2026 by Central Woodwind Quintet, Imani Winds, Winds5, and Olmos Ensemble.
Invisible Variations, Op. 140
For Solo Piano
Commissioned by the Washington State Music Teachers Association for the 2026 Composer of the Year Project. Premiered June 2026 by pianist Lark Powers.
Katia Osorio releases Miguel del Aguila NOSTÁLGICA
New wonderful performance of Nostálgica available now on streaming
Reverón Piano trio releases Miguel del Aguila's BARROQUEADA
Imaginario Latinoamericano
WINDSYNC releases Miguel del Aguila WIND QUINTET No.2
All Worlds, All Times reaches #2 place on Billboard Classical Charts
Album places #2 places No.2 on Billboard Classical Music Charts
Miguel del Aguila Orchestra Works
Augusta Symphony / Dirk Meyer / G. Figueroa
Cuarteto Latinoamericano Miguel del Aguila - Piano Quintets
BARROQUEADA The Eroica Trio plays Miguel del Aguila
Work: Barroqueada for piano trio
The Eroica Trio
Amazon Spotify AppleMusic Deezer
Miguel del Aguila WSMTA’s 2026 Commissioned Composer of the Year
for #InvisibleVariations, a set of progressive, didactic piano variations that can be played by beginners, intermediates, and as a full concert work by advanced pianists. Premiere June 2026
Miguel del Aguila receives 2026 Artist Trust Fellowship
Honored to receive the 2026 Artist Trust Fellowship. Grateful for this support as I continue a busy year writing new works and performing
Miguel del Aguila 2025 composer in residence in France
Miguel del Aguila, composer in residence, Du Vert à l’Infini, Festival International de Musique Nouvelle, Franche‑Comté, France music festival, contemporary classical music, new music festival
Miguel del Aguila Composer in Residence 2023-2024 Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra
Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra Composer in Residence Miguel del Aguila 2023 2024 – Matthew Kraemer conductor ICO
Miguel del Aguila 2023 Composer in Residence ISU Contemporary Music Festival
Indiana State University Contemporary Music Festival 2023 composer in Residence Miguel del Aguila
Miguel del Aguila's music at The Kennedy Center in 2026
Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra Members perform works by Miguel del Aguila, including Sambeada and Wind Quintet No. 2.
Miguel del Aguila's CLOCKS at Tanglewood Music Festival 2026
CLOCKS performed three times at Tanglewood Music Festival this summer. Tanglewood Ensemble with Melinda Lee Mazur
Demarre McGill/ New World Symphony musicians performed Aguila's Wind Quintet No.2 at New World Center, Miami
New World Symphony and Demarre McGill performes Wind Quintet No.2, along with Beethoven, Janáček and Michael Tilson Thomas.
Miguel del Aguila Featured at Festival Urtext - Contemporary Chamber Music at Museo Kaluz Mexico City Dec 2025
I’m honored to be featured at the Festival Urtext at Museo Kaluz in Mexico City with three concerts featuring my music
Chicago Symphony Orchestra series performs Quinteto Sinfónico
CSO’s in collaboration with Chicago Children’s Theater also presented multimedia production featuring Quinteto Sinfónico at Symphony Center Chicago
Santa Barbara Symphony - Miguel del Aguila - Violin Concerto
Santa Barbara Symphony – Guillermo Figueroa – Nir Kabaretti perform West Coast premiere VIOLIN CONCERTO Granada Theater 2023 concerts
Charango Capriccioso new Choreography
Performance at Teatro São Pedro, Brazil by São Paulo Dance Company / São Pedro Theater Orchestra
Miguel del Aguila at HOP Hopkins Center for the Arts
speaking as composer in residence 2022 Hopkins Center for the Arts HOP Dartmouth College
Imani Winds premieres Blindfold Music
at Chamber Music Northwest and Oregon Bach Festival
Seducción - Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
LACO performs Secucción at Colburn School Theater, Los Angeles
Herbsttag - The Minnesota Orchestra
The Minnesota Orchestra performs Herbsttag on a concert broadcast live from Orchestra Hall by MPR/PBS
Malambo - Seattle Symphony
West Coast premiere of Malambo bassoon and orchestra version by Seattle Symphony
2021 Composer in Residence Danish Chamber Players / Ensemble Storstrøm
Thanks Danish Chamber Players /Ensemble Storstrøm for a wonderful year of collaborations on performances in Denmark
2020 Composer in Residence Orchestra of the Americas
I’m honored to join the great Orchestra of the Americas and conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto as 2020 Composer in Residence.
“a strong individual and vibrant voice that communicates with extraordinary power. His command of the orchestra is extraordinary and his sense of structure and direction create works that are compelling and memorable. One of the most significant voices in our compositional landscape today”
JoAnn Falletta, conductor
Miguel del Aguila on YouTube
