Diego David Vega[1] (born 1968[2]) is a Colombian-American composer and music professor whose work blends elements of traditional Colombian music with contemporary styles. He has created works for a variety of ensembles, including soloists, chamber groups, and symphony orchestras. Vega is also an experienced music educator, having taught composition and theory in both Colombia and the United States. He became an associate professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Music in 2011, and has received commissions from institutions such as the National Symphony Orchestra of Colombia and Maîtrise Notre Dame de Paris.[3]
He was a visiting assistant professor of composition and theory at the Setnor School of Music (Syracuse University) and an associate professor at Javeriana University before joining UNLV in 2011. He became associate professor in 2016 and full professor in 2024.[4][5]
Vega is one of five composers for the album Reason & Reverence which was released in June 2018 by Navona Records. The composers are described as having developed "a compelling, philosophical reflection of the world we live in." Petr Vronský conducted, and the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra delivers the compositions.[6]
Musical style
Diego Vega's musical style is characterized by a synthesis of classical music, Colombian music, jazz, and his favorite composers. He often incorporates elements of Colombian traditional music into his works, such as rhythms, melodies, harmonies, and instruments. He also explores the use of complex textures, polyrhythms, polytonality, and extended techniques. He is influenced by composers from different periods and genres, such as Prokofiev, Debussy, Ravel, Stravinsky, Bartók, Ligeti, Lutoslawski, Messiaen, Stucky, and many others.[7] Latin American writers have inspired some of his works, such as "hlör u fang axaxaxas mlö" (2004) for clarinet, violin, cello and piano, which was influenced by Jorge Luis Borges’ writings,[8] and his recent ballet "Espíritu de Pájaro", which was based on poems by Colombian indigenous authors.[9]
1994-1995 Misa de Pentecostés, for mixed choir, children's choir, organ, brass quintet, and timpani
1995 Motetes Notre-Dame, for mixed choir
Works for choir
2004 Canticum Novum, for mixed choir
Chamber music
1990 Sonata, for clarinet and piano
1991 Suite para Cuarteto de Maderas, for flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon
1999 De Profundis, for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, and percussion
2000 String Quartet
2000 Diferencias, for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, and percussion
2001 (Di)Ego Dixi, for flute and piano
2004 hlör u fang axaxaxas mlö, for clarinet, violin, cello, and piano
2006 Nocturno, for viola and piano
Works for piano
1990 Cuatro Piezas para Piano
1990 Sonatina
Electronic music
1999 iii..., for computer
2000 Este pueblo está lleno de ecos, for computer
Discography
2014 — Portraits (New Dynamic Records). SOLI Chamber Ensemble; includes Vega’s Divertimento (chamber).[23][24]
2016 — New South American Discoveries (Harmonia Mundi, HMU 907670). Norwegian Radio Orchestra; Miguel Harth-Bedoya (cond.); includes Música Muisca. Reviewed in the UK press.[25][26][27]
2017 — La Nueva Música Sinfónica Colombiana, Vol. V (Universidad EAFIT). Orquesta Sinfónica EAFIT; Cecilia Espinosa (cond.); includes Música Muisca. Issued digitally in 2017.[28][29]
2018 — Reason & Reverence: Works for Orchestra (Navona Records, NV6166). Moravian Philharmonic; Petr Vronský (cond.); includes Red Rock. Recording sessions: Reduta Hall, Olomouc, 18–22 Sept 2017 (per retailer listing). Reviewed by Audiophile Audition.[30][31][32]
2022/2023 — La Ruta (Arcantus Musikproduktion, ARC 22036). Kondraschewa/Chica Piano Duo; includes Rapsodia para dos pianos (2012). Label lists 2022; retailers list CD street date 30 June 2023.[33][34]
2024 — Espíritu de Pájaro (Zero Gravity Sound LLC; Dolby Atmos release). Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Colombia; Juan Felipe Molano (cond.). Dolby Atmos format indicated by Tidal; Apple Music lists the U.S. release as 23 April 2024 (℗ 2024 Zero Gravity Sound LLC).[35][36]
Reception: The Arts Desk praised New South American Discoveries as “a fabulous compilation” with “magnificent” playing,[26] and Audiophile Audition called Reason & Reverence a “refreshingly good listen” and recommended it to “lovers of contemporary music and richly recorded sound.”[32]
↑ Cuarteto Latinoamericano: Saúl Bitrán, Arón Bitrán, Javier Montiel, Alvaro Bitrán (June 6, 2012). Diego Vega - String Quartet - Cuarteto Latinoamericano. Sala Fedora Alemán, Centro de Acción Social para la Música, Caracas, Venezuela – via YouTube.
↑ "Espíritu de Pájaro". Apple Music. Zero Gravity Sound LLC. 2024-04-23. Retrieved 2025-08-07.
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