About
Widely recognized as one of Mexico’s leading clarinetists, Manuel Hernández Aguilar has built a career defined by artistry, versatility and leadership. Since 2004, he has served as Principal Clarinet of the National Autonomous University of Mexico Philharmonic Orchestra (OFUNAM), while maintaining a dynamic solo and chamber music career as a member of the Concertistas de Bellas Artes, the distinguished roster of Mexico’s National Institute of Fine Arts (INBAL).
Equally passionate about education, Hernández is a respected professor of clarinet at both the UNAM Faculty of Music and the School of Fine Arts at Universidad Panamericana, where he mentors the next generation of performers.
As a soloist, Hernández has performed major clarinet concertos across Mexico and internationally, including appearances in China, Argentina and Guatemala. He has premiered works by Sofia Gubaidulina and David Hernández-Ramos in Mexico and gave the national premiere of Jean Françaix’s Clarinet Concerto. His chamber collaborations include performances with Cuarteto Latinoamericano and premieres of works by contemporary Mexican composers, notably Eduardo Angulo and Pierre Boulez.
Hernández has appeared at numerous international festivals, including ClarinetFest (Ireland), Meet in Beijing (China), Festival Internacional Cervantino (Mexico) and events in Argentina, Colombia, Algeria, Italy, Brazil and the United States.
Earning multiple accolades, Hernández has received honors from the “Leopold Bellan” Competition in Paris and the European Music Competition in Picardy, as well as First Prize in OFUNAM’s Soloist Competition. His studies have taken him from Oaxaca to France, where he graduated with honors from the Conservatoire de Versailles under Philippe Cuper and earlier at UNAM with Ana María Castro and Luis Humberto Ramos.
His orchestral résumé includes past principal clarinet posts with the Symphony Orchestra of Minería, the Fine Arts Opera Orchestra of Mexico and the Youth Symphony of Veracruz. Hernández’s discography spans chamber works by Mexican composers and ensemble projects such as Para Vientos with Cameristas de México.
Manuel Hernández Aguilar is a Backun Artist and proudly performs on Backun Lumiere Clarinets and Accessories. He also endorses D’Addario and Chedeville products.
