Since its inception, the Sinfónica de Minería has shaped Mexico City’s cultural life. The orchestra pairs timeless classics with daring new works. It constantly pursues a sound of exceptional quality.
The origins and mission of the Sinfónica de Minería and the Academy of Music of the Palacio de Minería are deeply intertwined. One cannot be understood without the other. Both take their name from the Royal School of Mines, which—during the colonial period—founded and supported musical ensembles that performed at the School of Mines, now known as the Palacio de Minería, in Mexico City.
Founded in 1978, the Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería is dedicated to performing, promoting, and creating music of the highest quality. From its very first seasons, under the direction of Jorge Velazco, the orchestra became a leading artistic voice in Latin America.
Between 1985 and 1995, under the artistic direction of Luis Herrera de la Fuente, the Sinfónica de Minería consolidated itself as a transcendent cultural institution, with healthy finances and sponsor of Mexican music that has become contemporary classics.
In 1996 Jorge Velazco took over as artistic director for a second term (a position he held until 2003) and the Sinfónica de Minería began a process of expansion that took it to new audiences in the Mexican capital.
After the death of Jorge Velazco (2003) and an interim term of Carlos Spierer, Carlos Miguel Prieto was appointed conductor (2006) and the Sinfónica de Minería undertook unprecedented challenges in the history of Mexican art, such as performing all of Mahler's orchestral works.
The Sinfónica de Minería began strategic alliances that catapulted it to a massive audience. The Symphony Orchestra has played to full houses at the National Auditorium with classical works such as Carmina Burana and has received several distinctions, such as the "Medal of Merit" from the Mexican government.
The Sinfónica de Minería became the first Mexican orchestra to record with Deutsche Grammophon (2022). In 2023 it won a Latin Grammy, toured the United States for the first time and has begun recording Revueltas' orchestral works.
By Javier Jiménez Espriú
On the 30th anniversary of its founding, we honor those who made it possible. Among the many experiences and opportunities offered to me by the university—especially during my time as General Administrative Secretary of the University and Director of the University Cultural Center—the Nezahualcóyotl Concert Hall has held a special place.
and Acknowledgments
Album
Estirpe
with Pacho Flores
(Deutsche Grammophon; 2022)
November 2023
Venezuelan concert
by Paquito D'Rivera
recorded by the Sinfónica de Minería conducted by Carlos Miguel Prieto.
Album
Concerto for violin and orchestra in D major by Erich Korngold with Philippe Quint
(Naxos, 2009)
"Best instrumental soloist".
"Best classical soloist performance with orchestra".
Medal of Merit in Sciences and Arts 2015
Granted by the Legislative Assembly of Mexico City.
"For his great career and contribution to the culture of Mexico".
"Sinfónica de Minería becomes the first Mexican orchestra to record with legendary record label Deutsche Grammophon".
El País newspaper
The moons of the Auditorium
"Best Classical Show" in 2015
Musical
Music appreciation talks
Passion for music is contagious
Passion for music is contagious. And that is one of the great challenges of a contemporary orchestra: to spread the passion for music among new audiences. Perhaps the most direct form of musical diffusion is to bring concerts to new spaces. However, there are other ways. For example, talks on music appreciation...
Master classes and advanced training courses
Training of interpreters of international stature
In the Minería Symphony Orchestra we are committed to the improvement of young Mexican talents. There is nothing more stimulating for a person studying an instrument than to have the guidance of professionals.
That is why every year instrumentalists and soloists of our orchestra offer classes...
Public concerts
Music of excellence is not exclusive to concert halls and theaters.
Music cannot be static. If we were to limit it to a single venue we would be mutilating its powers. At the Sinfónica de Minería we are committed to taking it to different venues throughout Mexico in a constant search for new audiences.
