Introduction
Composer, scholar and project manager J.J. Peña Aguayo (San Juan, Puerto Rico, 1973) studied music composition at The Peabody Institute (B.M., 1996) and at The Juilliard School (M.M., 1998), and holds a Doctorate from the Universitat de València.
His composition teachers were Morris Cotel, Ronald Caltabiano, Milton Babbitt and Christopher Rouse. His musical works have been premiered and performed by orchestras, chamber groups and soloists in concert series and festivals across the Americas and Europe, with commissions such as from the Neanderland Biennale, the Insitut Valencià de la Música, Val Tidone Competitions and the Godella Chamber Music Festival.
He has been awarded prizes from ASCAP and BMI as well as in competitions such as the Gofreddo Petrassi and the Edigio Carella competitions, among others.
His work is published By the Sociedad Latina de Comunicación Social, Bèrben and Periferia.
He has taught at the Conservatories of Alicante and Castellón, and at the TAI Institute in Madrid. He is founding member of Ars-On (arte abierto) and is currently Artistic Director of the Sonamens Puerto Rico International Musical Creativity Summit.
El compositor, académico y gestor cultural José Javier Peña Aguayo (San Juan de Puerto Rico, 1973) está formado en composición musical The Peabody Institute (B.M., 1996) y la Juilliard School (M.M., 1998), y está doctorado en la Universitat de València.
Sus profesores de especialidad fueron Morris Cotel, Ronald Caltabiano, Milton Babbitt y Christoper Rouse.
Sus obras musicales han sido estrenadas e interpretadas por orquestas, grupos de cámara y solistas en ciclos de conciertos y festivales en América y Europa, con encargos de la Neanderland Biennale, el Instituto Valenciano de la Música, Concorsi Val Tidone y el Festival de Residencias de Cámara de Godella, entre otros.
Ha sido otorgado premios de ASCAP y BMI, así como en numerosos concursos como el “Virginia Carty deLillo” (EE.UU.), “Gofreddo Petrassi” (Italia) y “Edigio Carella” (Italia).
Sus obras están publicadas por la Sociedad Latina de Comunicación Social, Bèrben y Periferia.
Ha sido profesor en los Conservatorios Superiores de Música de Castellón y Alicante, y en la Escuela TAI. Es socio fundador de la organización de eventos culturales Ars-On (arte abierto) y es Director Artístico de Sonamens Puerto Rico Encuentro Internacional de Creación Musical.
Some examples of works done
(2017) - for 13 instruments. Commissioned by the Festival de Residències de Música de Cambra de Godella and premiered in Godella by the festival ensemble.
(2017) - for violin, cello, piano and electronics with video by Ricard Carbonell. Premiered at the Palau de la Música de València by the B3:Brouwer Trio at the inaugurating concerto the Ensems festival.
(2016) - for violin, saxophone and electronics. Premiered by Ensemble D’Arts at the Festival Kuraia in Bilbao.
(2016) - for electronics. Composed for the work by John Ollom, premiered at Spool MFG in Johnson City, NY.
(2015) - for piano. Premiered at the Ensems Festival by Carlos Apellániz.
(2014) - for flute, clarinet, baritone sax, violin, cello, piano and percussion. Premiered by Ensemble D’Arts at the Projecte Rafel festival.
(2014) - for cello. Premiered by Elena Solanes at the Cinc Segles de Música festival.
(2010) - for bass/E-flat clarinet, violin and piano. Premiered at the Kursaal in San Sebastián, Spain during the Quincena Donostiarra.
(2010) - for violin, cello and piano. Commissioned by the Institut Valencià de la Música and premiered by the B3:Bouwer Trio at the Palau de la Música de València.
(2009) - for violin, cello and piano. Premiered by the B3:Brouwer Trio at the Ensems festival.
(2007) interactive music for mixed ensemble. Music composed for the interdisciplinary and improvisational event at the Penalver Studio in Brooklyn, NY, with the Ollom Dance Theater, film artist Jakob Milikowski and artist Amadeo Peñalver.
(2007) - for cello and piano. Premiered by Elena Solanes and Belén Navarro at the Palau de la Música de València.
(1998)- Clark Studio Theater, Michael Goldstrom, stage director, J.J. Peña Aguayo, conductor.
(1998) - for small ensemble (violin, cello, clarinet, 2 percussionists). Alice Tully Hall, J.J. Peña Aguayo, conductor.
(1997) for viola and guitar. Barcelona, Christian Colberg, viola and Gustavo Them, guitar.
(1996) for cello. Chateu de Fontainebleau, Fontainebleau, France, 1997, Elena Solanes, cello.
(1996) for orchestra, Goffredo Petrassi International Competition 1997, Juilliard Departamental Orchestral Selection,
(1995) for trombone and percussion ensemble, BMI Student Composer Award, 1996, Virginia Carty Dellilo Composition Competition.
(1995) opera scene for mezzo-soprano, soprano and piano. March 17, 1995, Peabody Institute.
(1995) for viola. April 30, 1995, St James Church, New York City, Christian Colberg, viola.
(1994) for 2 violins, viola, cello and piano. March 15, 1995, Peabody Institute.
(1993) for 3 flutes and 3 bassoons, ASCAP Young. Composer Award 1994. January 31, 1996, Peabody Institute.