Mexico City, Mexico, June 19, 2025.Within the framework of the first Cello Festival, the Universidad Panamericana Mexico City campus, through its School of School of Fine Arts (EBA)presented the Pedro de Gante Award to the renowned Mexican cellist and writer Carlos Prieto Carlos Prietoin an emotional ceremony held at the Mixcoac auditorium.
During the event, the following were present Dr. Santiago García Álvarezrector of the Mexico City campus, and Dr. Gabriel Pliego Carrasco, president of the Mexico City campus. Dr. Gabriel Pliego Carrascodean of the EBA, as well as students from the Panamericana University community.
A recognition of artistic and educational excellence
The Pedro de Gante Award, named after the 16th century Franciscan friar 16th century Franciscan friar, considered a pioneer of musical education in America and founder of the San José de los Naturales San José de los Naturales Schoolthe first educational institution for native peoples of the continent.
This award, which will be granted biannually, honors musicians who have demonstrated an exceptional life trajectory, dedicated to the performance, dissemination and teaching of music in Mexico and around the world. dedicated to the performance, dissemination and teaching of music in Mexico and around the world..
Carlos Prieto: a musical and cultural legacy
Born in Mexico City in 1937, Carlos Prieto began playing the cello at the age of four under the tutelage of Hungarian maestro Imre Hartman. He completed his musical training with legends such as Pierre Fournier in Geneva and Leonard Rose in New York, while he studied engineering and economics at the MIT.
"In my family there was a violinist who was my father, another violinist who was my mother, a violist who was my grandfather, and a cellist was missing to complete a quartet. So, practically from the moment I was born, they chose a cello for me, and it so happened that I always liked it very much", he says.he says.
His artistic career has led him to perform with world-class orchestras, such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of Londonthe Berlin Symphony Orchestra and the National Orchestra of Spainamong many others. In addition, he has recorded more than 100 worksincluding the complete suites of Bach and pieces by Latin American composers from the 19th to the 21st centuries.
Prieto is not only a virtuoso of the cello, but also a prolific writer with 14 books published and a member of language academies in Mexico, Spain, Chile and Ecuador.. His career has been enriched by his friendship with figures such as Igor Stravinsky, Shostakovich, Octavio Paz y Gabriel García Márquez.
"For discipline, every day I dedicate more than an hour to the cello, but I also dedicate more than an hour to writing books," Prieto explains.Prieto explains.
Recognition before the university community
Dr. Santiago García and Dr. Gabriel Pliego highlighted Prieto's cultural work and his impact on the formation of new generations.
In his message, Carlos Prieto expressed: "I greatly admire the musical activity of the Universidad Panamericana. I would say to the students that they are fortunate not to miss the opportunity to be properly trained in music and in other activities of human knowledge.".
During the event, Prieto gave a masterful masterful interpretation and shared anecdotes of his artistic life, accompanied by photographs with great personalities such as Yo-Yo Ma.
Commitment to the promotion of the arts
With this distinction, the Universidad Panamericana reaffirms its institutional commitment to the promotion of the arts as a fundamental pillar of its educational mission, honoring those who, like Pedro de Gante and Carlos Prieto, have been recognized for their work in the arts. Pedro de Gante and Carlos Prietohave transformed the world through art, culture and humanistic thought.
Learn more about EBA at: https://www.up.edu.mx/universidad-escuela-de-bellas-artes/
