"Music in live performance is one of our most powerful tools — it touches people directly and transcends ideologies"
Mercedes Díaz García possesses a natural intuition for musical phrasing, an authentic stage presence, and remarkable command over orchestral colors and dynamics. As an advocate for contemporary music, she has premiered numerous works by distinguished composers, including Leo Brouwer, whose Variaciones Concertantes was broadcast on Deutschlandfunk Kultur under her direction; Juan José Colomer, whose recent work Agony and Ecstasy she premiered at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg; and Margarete Sorg-Rose, whose Second Symphony she commissioned.
Mercedes has performed on some of the most prestigious stages, including the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, the Konzerthaus in Berlin, and the Sendesaal in Bremen. Her performances have been broadcast internationally, and she has conducted orchestras across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.
Mercedes has appeared at renowned festivals, including MIMO in São Paulo, Brazil, and The National Music Festival in Maryland, United States. As artist-in-residence at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Canada, she deepened her understanding of innovative concert programming through the work with members of the New York-based International Contemporary Ensemble and Steve Schick.
Driven by her passion for innovative programming, Mercedes Díaz García founded the Vive! Ensemble in 2015. Under her leadership, the ensemble presented bold and groundbreaking works, including Kaija Saariaho’s opera Émilie, chamber arrangements of Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde, and Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring. The ensemble premiered numerous newly commissioned pieces and toured across the United States, performing at events such as the New Music Gathering, the Toledo Museum of Art’s Great Performances series, and in cities including Cincinnati, Nashville, and Dallas.
Her commitment to music education is equally notable. Mercedes conducted educational concerts with Sinn-phonietta and the Missouri Symphony Orchestra. Her participation in programs with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra in Canada further enriched her expertise in designing impactful school concert experiences. Additionally, in the realm of ballet, she has conducted well-known productions such as Giselle and participated in a program with the Royal Ballet of London, where she explored the intricate synergy between music and dance.
In addition to her advocacy for contemporary repertoire, Mercedes Díaz García is deeply committed to preserving historical musical heritage. She has conducted significant research to revive forgotten works, including the symphonies of 19th-century Peruvian composer Pedro Abril Tirado, ensuring they find their place in modern concert programming.
Throughout her career, Mercedes has collaborated with orchestras and ensembles worldwide. Highlights include performances with the Sinfónica de Heredia in Costa Rica, the La Porte Symphony, and the Missouri Symphony in the United States, as well as specialized music ensembles like the Rungholt Ensemble Hamburg in Germany and the Cadenza Contemporary Orchestra in Baku, Azerbaijan. Through these collaborations, she consistently showcases her ability to bring both contemporary and historical repertoire to life.
Mercedes Díaz García masterfully weaves innovative programming with profound musical insight. Her passion for bridging contemporary and historical repertoires creates transformative experiences, fostering connection, discovery, and artistry for all audiences.