Meet Guest Conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto
Carlos Miguel Prieto is a name that lights up the world of music with his vibrant energy and profound interpretations. Imagine someone who’s not just conducting from the podium in the front of an orchestra but is also a dynamic force of cultural and educational change, spreading the joy of music far and wide. This maestro, hailing from Mexico, has been dazzling audiences and musicians alike across the globe with his passionate commitment to music and education as well as being a champion for new music.
Last season, Prieto stepped into the role of Music Director for the North Carolina Symphony, bringing fresh energy and vision to the ensemble. But that’s just the latest chapter in a story filled with high notes. From 2007 to 2022, he led the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de México, lifting the ensemble to new heights, and since 2006, he’s been the heart and soul behind the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, playing a pivotal role in New Orleans’ cultural revival post-Hurricane Katrina.
Imagine summer in Mexico City, and there’s Prieto, conducting the Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería, an ensemble that shines under his direction through their summer series. Prieto is a globetrotter, bringing his musical prowess to prestigious orchestras like the London Philharmonic, NDR Elbphilharmonie, and even making waves at the BBC Proms with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.
What’s truly special about Prieto is his dedication to nurturing the next generation of musicians. Since 2002, alongside Gustavo Dudamel, Prieto has conducted the Orchestra of the Americas, which draws young musicians from the entire American continent. A staunch proponent of music education, Prieto served as Principal Conductor of the YOA from its inception until 2011 when he was appointed Music Director. In 2018 he conducted the orchestra on a tour of European summer festivals, which included performances at the Rheingau and Edinburgh festivals. He has also worked regularly with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and the NYO2 in New York.
But there’s more to Prieto than acclaimed conducting. He’s a crusader for Latin American music and a champion of new works, having brought over 100 world premieres to life. He believes in the power of music to unite and express diverse voices, celebrating composers of all backgrounds.
His discography? Stellar. From winning awards with Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 to earning Grammy® nods for Korngold’s Violin Concerto, Prieto’s recordings speak volumes of his artistic excellence.
So, as we gear up to experience Mahler’s Fifth Symphony under his baton with Pacific Symphony, March 14-16, remember, Carlos Miguel Prieto is not just conducting an orchestra; he’s orchestrating a movement, one that brings music, education, and cultures together in a symphony of shared human experience. Get ready to be swept off your feet by the sheer energy and passion he brings to the podium. This is not just a concert; it’s a celebration of music’s power to inspire and transform.
To read more about the concerts Prieto will be conducting, click here.