Miguel del Aguila (b. 1957)
About the Composer
Miguel del Aguila (b. 1957) is a Uruguayan-American composer whose music reflects a remarkable synthesis of classical tradition, Latin American musical idioms, jazz, and popular styles. Known for his vivid rhythmic language, expressive lyricism, and direct emotional communication, he has built an international reputation for music that is both sophisticated and immediately engaging. His works have been performed by leading orchestras, chamber ensembles, and soloists around the world.
Born and raised in Uruguay, del Aguila left his homeland during a period of political upheaval, eventually settling in the United States, where he has spent most of his professional career. His experiences of migration and cultural exchange have profoundly shaped his artistic voice. Rather than viewing musical traditions as isolated expressions, he draws upon a wide range of influences to create a language that is deeply personal and unmistakably his own.
Throughout his career, del Aguila has sought to write music that speaks directly to performers and audiences alike. Whether energetic and rhythmically exuberant or quiet and introspective, his compositions are united by a commitment to expressive communication and genuine emotional honesty. His work demonstrates how America’s musical landscape continues to be enriched by composers who bring with them diverse cultural traditions while creating new artistic identities.
About the Piece
Nocturne, Op. 62, was composed in 1998 and reflects Miguel del Aguila’s gift for creating music that communicates with directness and emotional honesty. Although the title recalls the long tradition of lyrical piano nocturnes, the work is deeply influenced by jazz and the popular song traditions of South America during the 1940s. These influences combine to create a mood of quiet sadness and nostalgia, recalling both the expressive character of the blues and the slow Brazilian choro.
Del Aguila has written that he composed Nocturne “in just a few hours on a foggy afternoon in California.” He describes the work’s form and harmonic language as intentionally simple, allowing the music to unfold with an almost folk-like spontaneity. Rather than relying on extensive development, the piece expresses its emotions “with spontaneous simplicity and sincerity,” inviting listeners into an intimate and deeply personal musical world.
Fifteen years later, del Aguila found himself returning to this same expressive landscape in his work Silence for violin and piano, which he has described as continuing the mood of Nocturne. The result is a work whose quiet lyricism and emotional authenticity continue to resonate long after the final notes have faded.
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Sheet Music
The sheet music is available from the composer.
Myriad Voices 