Biography

Widely recognized as one of the leading composers of his generation, Octavio Vazquez has written extensively in every genre, from concert music to movie soundtracks. His award-winning compositions have been performed throughout Europe, America and Asia, and broadcast nationally and internationally on both radio and TV. His music has been described as “...a burning torch for the next century ..extraordinary sensitivity ..intense passion ..stunning ..superb” (The New Music Connoisseur, New York), “amazing ..sublime” (Liceus, Spain), “...spotless construction ..charming ..ironic” (MundoClasico.com), “...a polychromatic powerfield ..profound feeling” (Kölner Stadt Auzeiger, Germany), “...a musical phenomenon” (El Progreso, Spain.)

Since 2004 Mr. Vazquez has collaborated in different projects designed to raise public awareness for the UN Millennium Development Goals. He is currently working for the Guernica Project, an international program that seeks to increase global awareness of the need for peace and international cooperation.

His music has been interpreted by conductors such as Carlos Kalmar, H. Schellenberger, Víctor Pablo Pérez, Maximino Zumalave and Teri Murai, and soloists as Daniel Gaisford, Eldar Nebolsin, Viacheslav Dinerchtein, Jonathan Gandelsman, Nurit Pacht, Jennifer Bleick, Eric Jacobson and Nicholas Chords. He has been commissioned by the New York State Council on the Arts, Galicia Symphony Orchestra, Galician Royal Philharmonics, Meet the Composer, Guernica Project, and Chi-Mei Foundation, among others. Festivals include the Kölner MusikTriennale (Germany), the Prokofiev International Festival (Russia), and the AreMore, Via Stellae and Música en Compostela International Festivals (Spain).

A Barrie Scholar, Dr. Vazquez graduated from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Madrid, the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Maryland.