Agustin Charles Soler

Born in Manresa (Barcelona), he began his musical studies at an early age. His first works in contemporary composition date back to the 1980s, under the guidance of Miquel Roger, Albert Sardà, and Josep Soler. He later studied with Franco Donatoni, Luigi Nono, and Samuel Adler, in addition to working with Joan Guinjoan, Cristóbal Halffter, J.R. Encinar, and Ros Marbà. He holds nearly fifty awards, including the most important national and international composition prizes. He has also received commissions from many institutions and prestigious performers, and his music is performed worldwide.
In 2003, he received the prize from the Spanish Association of Symphony Orchestras (AEOS) for his work “Seven Looks”, performed by all Spanish orchestras between the 2004 and 2008 seasons. His first opera, “La Cuzzoni, esperpent d’una veu”, premiered to great success at the Staatstheater in Darmstadt (Germany) in October 2007, and later in Barcelona and Madrid. In 2008, the Italian company Stradivarius released his second monographic CD with part of his orchestral work, performed by the Orquesta de la Comunidad de Madrid and conducted by José Ramón Encinar. In 2010, the Tritó label released a new monographic CD with the Barcelona Symphony Orchestra and National Orchestra of Catalonia, conducted by Jaime Martín. In March 2011, his second opera, “Lord Byron, un estiu sense estiu”, with text by M. Rosich and stage direction by A. Romero, premiered at the Staatstheater in Darmstadt (Germany) to great public and critical acclaim. In June 2011, it was performed at the Gran Teatre del Liceu. In August 2012, his opera “Java Suite”, with text by Marc Rosich and stage direction by Rita Consentino, premiered at the Perelada Festival. It was later performed at the Teatro La Seca in Barcelona and at the Basel Opera House.
He is also the author of numerous works related to composition and musical analysis, including his books: “Analysis of Spanish Music of the 20th Century” (2002), “Dodecaphonism and Serialism in Spain” (2005), “Instrumentation and Classical and Contemporary Orchestration” (5 volumes). He holds a Doctorate in Art History and is Professor of Composition at the Conservatory of Music of Aragon. He currently teaches composition at the Conservatory of Music of Aragon.