Gerardo Aponte is a freelance violist who began his musical studies in the Youth Orchestras and Choirs of Mexico in 1992. He continued his studies privately and has been taught by Lech Kwapisz, Jan Sosnowsky, Mikhail Tolpigo and Manuel Suárez, among others; he took composition classes with Salvador Rodríguez.
His compositions and musical arrangements have been played in Mexico, USA, and Europe by different symphony orchestras such as the Monte-Carlo Philarmonic and London Philharmonic Orchestra as well as by different chamber ensembles such as the Utah Symphony cello section and the Cello Ensemble of the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico. The presentation of his piece “Vertigo” in a chamber music concert organized in Denmark by the Odense Symfoniorkester and his participation as a composer within the XLI and XLIV International Forum of New Music Manuel Enríquez (Mexico) stand out as highlights in his career.
He has played in orchestras such as the Orquesta Juvenil José Pablo Moncayo, Orquesta Vida y Movimiento, Orquesta Sinfónica Miguel Hidalgo de la Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional, Orquesta Sinfónica Carlos Chávez y Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería. He has been invited to play as section support in the OFUNAM, OSEM, OTBA, OCBA, Orquesta Filarmónica de Querétaro, Compañía de Ópera de Morelos, Compañía de Ópera de León, Camerata de Coahuila, Orquesta del Festival de Morelia, and OSUG, among others.
His interest in expanding his musical horizons has led him to form the Silvestre Revueltas String Quartet, the Ensamble Grialia (Celtic music) in 2005, Alebrije (world music / fusion) in 2011, Ensamble Orkvs (chamber rock) in 2011, and Ensamble DuoDecafónico in 2015. He has played in contemporary music ensembles such as the Ensemble Permutaciones and Tempus Fugit, and the bands Exsecror Vecordia (Symphonic Metal) and Saena (Progressive Rock).
His musical experience has led him to perform on all the most important stages in Mexico and on stages in Europe and Africa, participating in festivals such as the Festival Internacional Cervantino, Festival de Música de Morelia, Feria de la Calacas, Festival de Música Sinfónica de Argelia, Quimera, Mandragora’s Fest, and Feria de Ixmiquilpan, to name a few.
His discography includes orchestral music, contemporary chamber music, film soundtracks, rock music, and pop music, both in his own projects and as a guest.
He is currently a member and founder of VERSUS Ensamble (2017) and Dúo Manik’ (2019); he is also a member and co-founder of Vórtice Ensamble (2018). At the end of 2020 he joined MUVA, a Mexican multisensory experimental band.”
