Guillermo receives Harold Gramatges Award

UANL orchestra conductor Guillermo Villarreal received an award from the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba for his contribution to Latin American culture and identity.

On June 18, Guillermo Villarreal Rodríguez, university orchestra conductor and professor at the School of Music at Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, received the Harold Gramatges International Prize from the Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC).

The award honors the memory of Harold Gramatges, one of Cuba’s most important intellectuals. Gramatges was a composer, orchestra conductor, pianist, diplomat, and a key figure in the Cuban musical avant-garde.

A friend of Mexican composers like Blas Galindo and José Pablo Moncayo, Harold Gramatges served as a mentor to Villarreal Rodríguez. Despite their 53-year age difference, they were united by deep artistic ideals, allowing Guillermo to forge a close connection with the island.

“A fundamental figure in Latin American music, Harold Gramatges was more than just a friend to me; he was a mentor, a teacher, and an advisor,” said the university professor. “I was fortunate to meet him in 1998, and he remained a significant influence until his death.”

“Gramatges advised Guillermo never to succumb to the allure of simple music and easy applause—a piece of advice that Villarreal Rodríguez followed diligently. Today, he proudly accepts this extraordinary award, a source of pride for the university.”

The Harold Gramatges International Award, granted by UNEAC, has been awarded only four times in the past 10 years.

The path of friendship

“In 2022, a member of the UNEAC approached the professor from the School of Music, suggesting that he had the qualifications to receive the award.”

From that moment onward, the journey commenced, culminating in April 2024 when he received notification from Pedro de la Hoz regarding the proposal to the guild.

Sadly, Pedro lost his battle with cancer, and his final wish was for the administrative process to be completed and the award to be bestowed upon me. This carries significant emotional weight, as Pedro’s influence in Latin America is profound,” stated the recipient, who also holds the José María Heredia y Heredia Award, received in 2023 in Santiago de Cuba.