MIGUEL DEL AGUILA
Grammy-Nominated American Composer*
“The dependably brilliant … composer Miguel del Aguila”
James M. Keller, The New Yorker
*
“A mature, assured voice … uniquely accessible yet adventurous writing”
Opera Now, London
*
“His music dances with fiery rhythms … with near to obsessive vitality”
Wiener Zeitung, Vienna
*
3x Grammy® nominated internationally recognized American composer Miguel del Aguila creates distinctive, innovative contemporary 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.
Orchestras & Ensembles Performing Miguel del Aguila
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 and LA Chamber Orchestra (LACO).
Conductors & Collaborators:
Marin Alsop, Leonard Slatkin, Giancarlo Guerrero, Carlos Miguel Prieto, JoAnn Falletta, Gerard Schwarz, David Alan Miller, Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Andrew Litton, Guillermo Figueroa and Dirk meyer.
Major Awards & Honors:
3x GRAMMY® NOMINATED, 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.”
Press Acclaim
“Magical and totally unclassifiable…exquisitely imaginative … an absolutely mesmerizing new work to the repertoire”
Ronald Grames, Fanfare
“…Elegant and affectionate music … with genuine wit…”
Carina Wollheim, The New York Times
“…Structural ingenuity, rhythmic vitality and melodic fluency.”
Joseph McLellan, Washington Post
“…Funny, moving and sonically dazzling.”
Josef Woodard, Los Angeles Times
“Expressive, inventive, and deeply moving music of the highest caliber.” Gramophone
#1 — Billboard Traditional Classical Charts
WindSync Plays Miguel del Aguila — 2024
#2 — Billboard Traditional Classical Charts
All Worlds, All Times Miguel del Aguila Wind Quintet #2 — 2022
Selected Performances
August 2026
Conductor Marin Alsop with Miguel del Aguila at Cabrillo Festival
Composer Miguel del Aguila and conductor Marin Alsop address the audience before the performance of CONGA.
With Giancarlo Guerrero & Yefim Bronfman at premiere
After Nashville Symphony premiere of Fall of Cuzco. Miguel del Aguila with conductor Giancarlo Guerrero & Yefim Bronfman.
Miguel del Aguila and JoAnn Falletta – Albany Symphony
Composer Miguel del Aguila and conductor JoAnn Falletta during a discussion for Concierto en Tango with the Albany Symphony Orchestra.
Salon Buenos Aires Rehearsal with LA Phil musicians
Composer Miguel del Aguila coaching a rehearsal of Salon Buenos Aires at Walt Disney Concert Hall with members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
At London's Abey Road studios
Recording all Aguila music for winds album with Windsync
NEW ALBUM RELEASES & RECORDINGS
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
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
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 WORKS
“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
Soaked Cobblestones, Op. 142
For Flute and Clarinet
A new 5-minute duo work finished and premiering in 2026.
When Sound Left, Op. 141
For Quintet Ensemble (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 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
Miguel del Aguila Orchestra Works
Augusta Symphony / Dirk Meyer / G. Figueroa
Cuarteto Latinoamericano Miguel del Aguila - Piano Quintets
Miguel del Aguila named WSMTA’s 2026 Commissioned Composer of the Year
for InvisibleVariations, a set of piano variations. Premiered June 2026
Miguel del Aguila receives 2026 Artist Trust Fellowship
Honored to receive the 2026 Artist Trust Fellowship. Thanks Artist Trust for this support
Miguel del Aguila named 2025 composer in residence in France
Composer in residence at Du Vert à l’Infini, Festival International de Musique Nouvelle, Franche‑Comté, France.
Miguel del Aguila Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra Composer in Residence 2023-2024
ICO 2023-2024 Composer in Residence Miguel del Aguila – Matthew Kraemer cond.
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 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
Miguel del Aguila's WIND QUINTET No.2 at New World Center, Miami
New World Symphony & Demarre McGill performe Wind Quintet No.2
Miguel del Aguila Featured at Festival Urtext - Music at Museo Kaluz Mexico
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 Presents Miguel del Aguila's QUINTETO SINFÓNICO
CSO’s in collaboration with Chicago Children’s Theater also presented multimedia production featuring Quinteto Sinfónico at Symphony Center Chicago
Sphinx Virtuosi Tours Nationwide with Miguel del Aguila’s LIFE IS A DREAM
Sphinx Virtuosi performs Miguel del Aguila’s Life is a Dream on tour at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Detroit Institute of Arts, Ordway Center, Dartmouth College, Cleveland Institute of Music, Univ. of Maryland, and Interlochen.
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