Hugo Morales
Working the boundaries between traditional instruments, found objects, performance technique and technology, the development of alternative forms of sound generation for music composition is essential in his work. Elements in his ideas are frequently extensions of traditional instruments or instrumental implementations of rudimentary items whereby intricate techniques, multi-parametric notation, physical sounds transformations and lo-fi inventions are common agents delimiting a musical vocabulary.
After concluding his studies at the Center of Research and Musical Studies (CIEM) in Mexico City, he moved to The Netherlands to continue his postgraduate studies with the support of “Netherlands Universities Foundation for International Cooperation” (Nuffic), “Fondo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes” (FONCA), “Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds and “Fonds Podiumkunsten”. He holds a master’s degree in Music Composition from the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, a master’s degree in Sonology (with Distinction) from the Institute of Sonology in The Hague and a PhD degree from the Centre of Contemporary Music Practice (CCMP) Brunel University, London.
His music has been awarded by associations and competitions like: Mexican Music Council 2003, International Jurgenson Competition 2007, International Gaudeamus Music Week 2008, SPNM Shortlisted composer 2008-2011, International Forum of New Music 2010, Composition Stipend Fonds Podiumkunsten 2013-2014 and Grand Prize at the Tokyo Experimental Festival 2013.
He has been performed and commissioned by ensembles/musicians such as: The Arditti Quartet (UK), L’Ensemble Intercontemporain (FR), El Cuarteto Latinoamericano (MX), Ensemble Klang (NL), CHROMA Ensemble (UK), Smash Ensemble (ES), Exaudi Vocal Ensemble (UK), Champd’action BE), IKTUS Percussion Quartet (US), Sarah Nicolls (UK), Talea Ensemble (US), Slagwerk Den Haag (NL), Trio Gáman (DK), Pontus Langendorf (SE), Studio for New Music Ensemble (RU), Milana Zaric (RS), Goska Isphording (PL), Vortex Ensemble (CH), Yu-Wen Hung (TW), London Contemporary Orchestra (UK), Barbara Lueneburg (DE), Ensemble MAE (NL), Sur Plus Ensemble (DE) and Continuum (CA) among others.
He currently lives in The Hague as a freelance composer.