Chronology

CHRONOLOGY

1925	Born in Havana, Cuba, November 28

1933-1944	Colegio De La Salle, Havana

1943-1946	Studies with Viennese composer and pianist Fritz Kramer

1944	Tres preludios ("Three Preludes") for piano
	La fuente infinita ("The Infinite Fountain"), song cycle for soprano and piano, on poems by José Francisco Zamora

1944-1946	University of Havana

1946	First of his many articles and essays on music, composers, electronic music and art: “Hugo Wolf”, Review of Sociedad Pro-Arte Musical, Havana
	First of his innumerable lectures on music: “Arnold Schoenberg and his Music”; Reception Hall, Sociedad Pro-Arte Musical, Havana. Erich Kleiber hears the lecture and offers to give him letters of introduction to Arnold Schoenerg and Ernst Toch

1947	Marries pianist and educator Sara Lequerica Martínez
	Moves to Redlands, California
	Meets Schoenberg and Stravinsky
	Rondó en Mi bemol for piano, only piece of the composer to employ a key signature

1948	La muerte de Pan ("The Death of Pan") for violin and piano
	Returns to Havana

1949	Trio for violin, cello and piano

1950	Obertura a una farsa seria ("Overture to a Serious Farce") for orchestra
	Soliloquio ("Soliloquy") for viola and piano, commissioned by violist Alberto Fajardo
	El encuentro ("The Encounter") for contralto and piano, on poems by Rabindranath Tagore
	First aesthetic (later political) encounters with the Cuban classical music establishment

1950-1953	Editor, Conservatorio review
	Music critic, Alerta and Diario de la Marina

1952	Introducción y Episodio ("Introduction and Episode") for orchestra, commissioned by Frieder Weissman
	President, Cuban National Music Council (UNESCO project)

1953	Leyenda del Ariel Criollo ("Legend of the Creole Ariel") for cello and piano, commissioned by Adolfo Odnoposoff and Berta Huberman, first piece to be played internationally, first published work (Peer International, New York) and first piece to be commercially recorded (Panart)
	Epigrama ("Epigram") for piano

1953-1957	Professor of Music, Department Chair, Universidad de Oriente, Santiago de Cuba

1954	Elegía ("Elegy") for string orchestra, premiered in London, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; Alberto Bolet, conductor

1954-1959	Music Advisor, National Institute of Culture, Havana

1955	Virginia Colliers Chamber Music Award, Washington, D.C.

1955-1958	Treasurer, Inter-American Music Association, Caracas-Havana

1956	Divertimento for piano, violín, cello and string orchestra
	Danza lenta ("Slow Dance") for piano
	The Conservatorio Ada Iglesias (Ada Iglesias Music Conservatory), Havana, confers upon him the title of Professor of Music Composition and of Aesthetics of Music

1956-1957	Vice-President, Havana Philharmonic Orchestra

1957	String Quartet in Five Movements In Memoriam Alban Berg, first of his twelve-tone works
	Minuet for piano
	Toccata for piano, commissioned by pianist Jorge Bolet
	Lyceum Publication Award, Havana
	Travels to Los Angeles. Lectures at various American universities

1958	First performance of String Quartet in Five Movements In Memoriam Alban Berg, First Inter-American Music Festival, Claremont Quartet, Pan American Union Concert Hall, Washington D.C. Marks the beginning of his musical career in the United States
	Cantata for two sopranos, contralto and twenty-one instruments, on poems by Roberto Fernández Retamar. First of several premiere performances at the Library of Congress

1959	After brief return to Cuba, settles permanently in Los Angeles; teaches at University of Southern California; accepts chair of music at California State University, Northridge
	Quinteto para instrumentos de aliento ("Woodwind Quintet"), last piece started in Cuba, finished in Northridge, California. First of several works premiered over the years at the Monday Evening Concerts, Los Angeles

1960	Sinfonía en cuatro partes ("Symphony in Four Parts") for orchestra, commissioned by Inocente Palacios for the Second Inter-American Music Festival , Washington, D.C.; National Symphony Orchestra, Howard Mitchell, conductor
	Trío for flute, oboe and clarinet

1962	Structures ("Estructuras") for piano and string quartet, commissioned by the Coolidge Foundation, Library of Congress

1963	Andrew Mellon Fellowship, University of Pittsburgh
	Inducted as member of Phi Kappa Lambda Honor Society
	Vectors ("Vectores") for monaural tape, first of the composer’s electronic works

1964	Segments ("Segmentos") for violin and piano, commissioned by violinist Robert Gross
	First European performance of Sinfonía en cuatro partes ("Symphony in Four Parts"), Encounter of Spanish and Ibero-American Composer Festival, Orchestra of the Spanish Radio and Television, Madrid

1965	Exametron for flute, cello and four percussionists
	Interpolation for clarinet with or without pre-recorded sounds, commissioned by clarinetist John Neufeld

1966	Exospheres ("Exosferas") for oboe and piano, first of his open score works, commissioned by oboist John Ellis

1967	Antinomies ("Antinomias") for piano

1970	Labdanum for flute, vibraphone and viola, first of his works abandoning serialization and employing variable, non-repeating twelve-note modules
	Plaque of Honor, Association of Music Students, California State University, Northridge

1971	Named Outstanding Professor, California State University System

1972	Intrata for orchestra, first of his works to be commissioned and premiered by Zubin Mehta and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra
	Diploma and Recognition Plaque for Outstanding Contributions to Contemporary Music, Ateneo de Buenos Aires ("Athenaeum of Buenos Aires")

1973	Tangents ("Tangentes") for violin and pre-recorded sounds, commissioned by violinist Endré Granat
	Para-Tangents ("Para-Tangentes") for trumpet and pre-recorded sounds, commissioned by trumpeter Thomas Stevens

1974	Septicilium for clarinet and small instrumental ensemble), commissioned by the University of California, Los Angeles; Festival of Contemporary Music, Los Angeles
	Olep ed Arudamot for any number of instruments and or voices; Gloria Morris (Monaco), commissions first of several works, starting with Olep ed Arudamot
	Distinguished Professor of Music, California State University, Northridge

1975	The Infinite Square ("El cuadrado infinito") for any number of instruments and or voices
	Andamar-Ramadna for any number of instruments and or voices
	The Magic Labyrinth ("El laberinto mágico") for any number of instruments and or voices, most internationally performed of his graphic scores
	Sound Clouds ("Nubes de Sonidos") for guitar
	Appointed Cultural Overseer of the Patronato José Martí, Los Angeles
	Certificate scroll recognizing the composer as an Important Valuable Human Resource of the United States of America, The American Heritage Research Association, New York
	Plaque honoring the composer, Parade of American Music, National Federation of Music Clubs

1976	Inflorescencia ("Inflorescence") for soprano, bass clarinet, pre-recorded sounds, on a poem by the composer

1977	Astralis for any number of instruments and or voices, first of three similar pieces commissioned by Francisco Lequerica
	Nones for any number of instruments and or voices
	Corde for any number of instruments and or voices
	Adiós ("Farewell") for orchestra, commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Zubin Mehta, conductor

1978	Friedheim Award, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C. Diploma of Honor recognizing his creative career, Cruzada Educativa Cubana ("Cuban Education Crusade"), Miami

1978-1990	President, Los Angeles Chapter of the United States Section of the International Society for Contemporary Music, Los Angeles-London

1978-2019	Receives first of two colored Commendations from two different Mayors of Los Angeles; one each from the California State Senate, the California Arts Commission and the County of Los Angeles Executive Council; and two from the Los Angeles City Council—all recognizing his great contributions to contemporary music and his notable educational career, Sacramento and Los Angeles

1979	Large pencil drawing of the composer as an honor from Cuban sculptor and painter Alfredo Lozano

1980	Certificate of Merit, National Association of Composers, U. S. A., Los Angeles Chapter
	First stage performances (3) of The Magic Labyrinth ("El laberinto mágico") for alto, tenor, bass, four dancers, solo violin, chamber ensemble of 5 players, pre-recorded group of whistles, Valencia, Spain

1981	Undici colori ("Eleven Colors") for solo bassoon with or without projected transparencies, depicting collages by the composer, commissioned by bassoonist Donald Christlieb
	Extrapolation ("Extrapolación"), stereophonic tape

1981-1985	President, National Association of Composers, U. S. A. (NACUSA)

1982	Galandiacoa for clarinet and guitar, commissioned by clarinetist Julian Spear
	Honor Plaque, City of Los Angeles 14th District (Arthur Schneider, councilman)

1983	Tropimapal for nine instruments, commissioned by Nelson Nirenberg
	Distinción de Honor de la Rosa Blanca ("Rosa Blanca Honor Distinction"), Patronato José Martí, Los Angeles

1984	Creativity Award, President’s Club, California State University, Northridge

1985	60th Birthday Anniversary Concert of the composer’s music in his honor, Cypress Hall, California State University, Northridge. First public concert where all the program is devoted to his music
	Adramante for soprano and piano, on a poem by Octavio Armand
	Asonante ("Assonant") for soprano, dancers, 7 instruments, pre-recorded sounds, poem by the composer
	Memorial de la ausencia ("Memorial of the Absence") for unaccompanied cello, commissioned by arts patron Petroso Novares, Rio de Janeiro
	Fulbright Fellowship, Rio de Janeiro. Teaches at the University of Rio de Janeiro
	Concert of his music and in his honor, co-sponsored by the Brazilian Fulbright
	Commission and the American Embassy in Brazil ("Brasilia"), Rio de Janeiro
	Elected Vice-President of the Webern International Society of which Pierre Boulez is President
	The Spokane, Washington, Public Library exhibits several of his manuscripts together with some of Webern

1986	Magias e invenciones ("Magics and Inventions") song cycle, soprano and piano, on poems by Gastón Baquero, commissioned by Fundación Música, Zaragoza, Spain
	Testimonial of Gratitude; colored scroll, California State University, Northridge music students
	Premio José de la Luz y Caballero ("José de la Luz y Caballero Prize"), Cruzada
	Educativa Cubana ("Cuban Education Crusade"), Miami

1987	Homenagem “In Memoriam Heitor Villa-Lobos” (piano), commissioned by pianist José Eduardo Martins; together with Epigrama, the composer’s most internationally played works

1988	Andamar-Ramadna, Version II for soprano and piano

1989	Second Creativity Award, President’s Club, California State University, Northridge

1990	Testimonial for female voice, flute, clarinet, piano, violin and cello, on poems by Armando Valladares
	Inducted into the Academia Chilena de Bellas Artes ("Chilean Academy of Fine Arts") as Correspondent Member ("Miembro Correspondiente"), Santiago de Chile

1991	Madrigales de entonces ("Madrigals of Another Time") for a cappella choir, on poems by Heberto Padilla
	Inducted into the Order of the Knight Templars, Scottish Branch ("Orden de los Caballeros Templarios, Rama Escocesa"), with the title of Chevalier du Temple de Jerusalem ("Caballero del Templo de Jerusalen"), Edinburgh (Scotland)-Los Angeles (USA)

1992	Bifloreo for guitar, commissioned by guitarist Anton Machleder

1993	After 34 years of teaching he retires from California State University, Northridge, with the title “Distinguished Emeritus Professor”. Students and Faculty honor him with a party where some express verbally their positive feelings for his teaching and guidance, and then proceed to sign (52 signatures) on a Renoir paintings book.

1995	Canciones transparentes ("Transparent Songs") for soprano, clarinet, cello and piano, on poems by José Martí, commissioned by Florida International University, Miami, to commemorate the Centennial of the death of Martí

1996	Interpolation receives its 200th public performance

1997	70th Birthday Anniversary concert of the composer’s music in his honor (complete piano works), Cypress Hall, California State University, Northridge
	Reconocimiento de Honor ("Honor Recognition"), Instituto Cubano-Americano de Cultura ("Cuban-American Cultural Institute"), Los Angeles

1999	Variación del recuerdo ("Variation of the Remembrance") for string orchestra, commissioned and played by Culver City (California) Chamber Orchestra

2000	FACE (Facts about Cuban Exiles) Award ("Datos sobre los cubanos exiliados"), Excellency in Music, Award ("Premio por Ecelencia Musical"), Miami
	Crystal Award (Large crystal cup with The Magic Labyrinth engraved), Cuban American Cultural Institute ("Instituto Cubano-Americano de Cultura"), Los Angeles
	The Library of Congress includes The Magic Labyrinth (1975) in its book of 732 pages Music History from Primary Sources, one of 100 scores and letters reproduced, starting with a medieval neumes illustrated fragment and ending with Frank Wedekind’s stock poster with his autographed prologue to Der Erdgeist ("The Earth Spirit"; "El espíritu de la Tierra"), Washington, D.C.

2001	Inducted into the Academia Brasileira de Música, Rio de Janeiro

2003	Homenaje a Aurelio de la Vega ("Homage to Aurelio de la Vega"), Revista Encuentros de la Cultura Cubana ("Encounters of the Cuban Culture review") (Essays by Rafael Rojas, Ramón Alejandro, Ángel Marrero, Carlos M. Luis, Nivaria Tejera, Carmelo Gariano, Laura Ymayo Tartakoff and Enrico Mario Santí; interview by Néstor Díaz de Villegas), Madrid

2004	Premio Herencia Cultural Cubana ("Cuban Cultural Heritage Prize"), Miami-Los Angeles

2005	80th Birthday Anniversary Concert of the composer’s music in his honor (works for strings), Cypress Hall, California State University, Northridge
	Variación del recuerdo ("Variation of the Remembrance"), Versión II for six voices, clarinet, marimba, vibraphone, commissioned by the Moldenhauer Foundation, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.; premiered in the Coolidge Auditorium of the Library by the Aguavá New Music Studio Ensemble, Carmen Helena Téllez, conductor
	The Magic Labyrinth ("El laberinto mágico"), Versión II for two sopranos, clarinet, marimba, vibraphone, premiered in the Coolidge Auditorium, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

2006	First European performance of Adiós, Orquesta de la Radio y Televisión Española ("Spanish Radio and Television Orchestra"), Madrid

2008	String Quartet in Five Movements In Memoriam Alban Berg receives its 400th public performance
	Appointed as Musicologist of the Verdi Chorus, Santa Monica
	Latin Grammy Nomination for Best Classical Music Composition, Variación del Recuerdo (1999)

2009	The International Mozart Award, Prize in music Composition, illuminated Diploma, International Biographical Center, Cambridge
	William B. Warren Lifetime Achievement Award, Cintas Foundation, New York-Miami
	First wife, Sara Lequerica y Martinez, dies

2010	85th Birthday Anniversary Concert of the composer’s music in his honor (vocal works), Cypress Hall, California State University, Northridge

2011	Marries American soprano and opera choral conductor, Anne Marie Ketchum-Monroe

2012	Premio Ignacio Cervantes, medalla y diploma ("Ignacio Cervantes Prize, medal and scroll"), Centro Cultural Cubano ("Cuban Cultural Center"), New York
	Second Latin Grammy Nomination for Best Classical Music Composition, Preludio No. 1 (Second version, 2008)

2013	Commendation honoring Aurelio de la Vega from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors (Illuminated scroll) and tribute in the program and concerts, The Verdi Chorus, Santa Monica
	Homenagem “In Memoriam Heitor Villa-Lobos” for piano receives its 100th public performance

2014	Documentary on the composer Aurelio: Rebel with a Cause (Aurelio: Rebelde con causa) by film maker Camilo Vila, narrated by Andy García; first public showing of documentary at the Kubic Center, Miami-Dade College, Miami Subsequent public showings of documentary Aurelio: Rebel with a Cause at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles and at California State University, Northridge

2015	Recordatio for soprano, woodwind quintet and string quintet, on poems by Emilio Ballagas, commissioned by North/South Consonance, New York
	90th Birthday Anniversary Concert of the composer’s music in his honor. Four works (three from previous students: Yalil Guerra, Kenneth de Vito and Carl Byron; and one from a colleague: Raymond Torres-Santos) are expressly written for this occasion. The rest of the program is music by de la Vega and includes the West Coast premiere of Recordatio, Cypress Hall, California State University, Northridge

2016	Angel Lifetime Achievement Award, Bilingual Foundation of the Arts (Premio Angel al Mérito, Fundación Bilingüe de las Artes), Los Angeles
	Premio Educador del Año (Educator of the Year Award), NACAE (National Association of Cuban American Educators), Miami
	Epigrama receives its 150th public performance

2017	First professional contact with Cuba since 1959. Essay on him (“Redescubriendo a Aurelio de la Vega”-Rediscovering Aurelio de la Vega) by Roberto Méndez Martínez, Revista del Arzobispado de La Habana ("Archbishopric of Havana Review"), Havana
	“Homenaje al gran compositor internacionalmente reconocido Aurelio de la Vega, Profesor Emérito` de California State University, Northridge” (Homage to the great internationally known composer Aurelio de la Vega, Emeritus Professor, California State University, Northridge), Círculo de Cultura Panamericano (Pan American Circle of Culture), Miami-Dade College, West Campus, concert of his music, panel discussion, statement by the composer, Miami
	Goes to Caracas to hear Intrata (1972) played by the Teresa Carreño Youth Orchestra (students 18-20 years of age) under Alfredo Rugeles; Anne Marie, his wife, sings Canciones Transparentes (1995)

2018	Third Latin Grammy Nomination for Best Classical Music Composition, Recordatio (2015)
	Inducted into the Academia de la Historia de Cuba en el Exilio ("Academy of Cuban History in Exile"), Los Angeles Chapter
	Inducted into the Orden Imperial Hispánica de Carlos V ("Imperial Spanish Order of Emperor Charles V"), Segovia-Madrid, Spain

2019	First article on him (“Aurelio de la Vega, the Cuban Ariel”, by Roberto Méndez Martínez) published in English to appear in a present-day Cuban official site (Inter-Press Service in Cuba), Havana
	Fourth Latin Grammy Nomination for Best Classical Album Cuba: The Legacy,

2020	Version VII of The Magic Labyrinth ("El Laberinto Mágico"), for string quartet, marks the 100th public performance of the work. Globulos Quartet, Saint Petersburg, Russia
	The book Aurelio de la Vega: Impresiones desde la distancia ("Aurelio de la Vega: Impressions From Afar"), by Cuban novelist, essayist and poet Manuel Gayol-Mecías, appears on the market in a bilingual edition in honor of the composer's 95th birthday. Academia de la historia de Cuba en el exilio (Academy of Cuban History in Exile), New York, and Palabra Abierta ("Open Word"), Eastvale, California; Amazon Books

2021	The Other Time: Aurelio de la Vega and Music/ El otro tiempo: Aurelio de la Vega y la música, a bilingual collection of materials on and by the classical music Maestro, Cuba´s and America´s most outstanding living composer, is published by Aduana Vieja Publishers, Valencia, Spain. Besides an analytical historical introduction by Enrico Mario Santí and essays by both Santí and de la Vega himself, it includes a long interview in which the Maestro reviews his life and works, a detailed chronology and a substantive discography.
	Receives the CUBADISCO award for the album Cuba: The Legacy, Havana

2022	Passes away in his home in Northridge, California on February 12.