Gabriel Domínguez: A young talent who transforms emotions into music.

Interview with Gabriel Domínguez, INBA student.

@DOMINGUEZ_GABRIELALEJANDRO

At a young age, Gabriel Domínguez Álvarez is already emerging as one of the most sensitive and talented young promises in the contemporary music scene. A pianist and composer trained at the National Center for the Arts, he has impressed audiences with his artistic maturity, expressive depth, and a technique that reflects years of discipline and passion.

Great-grandson of the renowned composer Alberto Domínguez—whose international classics Perfidia and Frenesí crossed borders—Gabriel is the heir to a musical legacy that has shaped the history of both Mexican and global music.

EAM: At what age did you discover your interest in music, and what was your first contact with the piano like?

Gabriel: Music has been present in my life since I was born. One of my earliest memories —although I’ve also been told about it— is of my paternal grandfather approaching my crib with his violin to play melodies composed by my great-grandfather, Alberto Domínguez. Those sounds were, without a doubt, my first contact with music. During my childhood, around the age of six, I became fascinated with the piano after hearing my maternal uncle play at family gatherings. I remember being deeply moved the first time I heard the piece Corazón de Niño by Raúl Di Blasio. That was the spark.

In middle school, without any formal musical training, I let myself be guided by curiosity and instinct. I sat at the piano and tried to play that same piece that had impacted me so deeply. It was a magical moment. When I managed to play it by myself, I felt such a strong mix of excitement and accomplishment that I literally jumped for joy. That experience was decisive: from then on, I knew the piano and music would be an essential part of my life. That’s when a deep passion was born, one that still accompanies me today.

EAM: Who have been your main musical influences, and how have they shaped your style as a composer?

Gabriel: My first influences came from my family. My maternal uncle, who loved the piano, taught me my first notes and inspired me with pieces that gave me goosebumps and brought tears to my eyes. My grandfather and great-grandfather, Alberto and Marcos Domínguez, have also been fundamental. Their legacy fills me with pride and motivates me to keep improving.

Although they paved the way for me, my style as a composer comes from what I feel. My goal has always been to create music that touches the soul, that moves, supports, and empowers those who, like me, find in music both a refuge and a driving force.

EAM: How would you describe your creative process when composing a piece?

Gabriel: My creative process has three stages. It all starts with a triggering emotion: sadness, love, melancholy—something I need to express. Then, I give it shape: I think about instrumentation, intention, and make small sketches to use as a base. Finally, I sit at the piano, open my heart, and let it flow. My hands translate what I feel into music, as if writing a letter without words. I know I’m on the right path if I get goosebumps or feel even more emotional than I expected when I started.

EAM: What emotions or themes do you usually explore in your compositions?

Gabriel: I’m a very sensitive and romantic person, which is why my compositions often explore love, heartbreak, melancholy, tenderness, and passion, always from an instrumental and emotional perspective.

EAM: Is there a particular original piece you consider especially significant in your career so far? Why?

Gabriel: There are three pieces that are very important to me:

The first is The Last Breath, my very first composition, which helped me get into INBA and made me realize I could express emotions through music. It was born during the COVID-19 lockdown.

The second is Mi Pequeña Bailarina (My Little Ballerina), dedicated to my girlfriend. It’s a romantic and technically demanding piece in which I poured all my heart to express love and tenderness in the most perfect way possible.

The third is TikTak Contra Reloj (TikTak Against the Clock), dedicated to my mother. This frenetic composition reflects her constant battle against time and daily pressure, but it also seeks to convey the peace and sweetness we all need in life. It’s a tribute to her effort and dedication—something I value deeply.

EAM: What does being part of the National Center for the Arts mean to you, and how has it influenced your musical development?

Gabriel: It’s an honor and a great opportunity. It has helped me understand the deep relevance of music in life, and to keep learning this beautiful language that allows us to express emotions through notes when words aren’t enough.

EAM: You've been recognized for your sensitivity, technique, and musical maturity at a very young age. How do you experience this, and what challenges does it bring?

Gabriel: For me, constantly improving and surpassing myself is the best way to measure my progress. It fills me with joy to know that my music reaches people’s hearts. My challenge and commitment is to keep growing so I can touch even more lives and leave a magical mark through my work.

EAM: As the grandson of violinist Marcos Domínguez and a member of a family with such an important musical legacy as that of Alberto Domínguez, how do you experience that artistic heritage? How does it influence your identity as a musician and composer?

Gabriel: For me, this legacy is both a source of pride and a goal to surpass. Being the grandson and great-grandson of such talented musicians inspires me to create my own style with clarity and passion, always with the desire to honor and exceed that valuable family mark. My musical roots connect me deeply with a rich and meaningful history that guides and motivates me.

EAM: What dreams or projects would you like to pursue in the coming years as a composer and performer?

Gabriel: I would love to release albums with my own music and gain international recognition. I also dream of working on scoring short films, dance, cinema, and other audiovisual projects. My greatest wish is to touch people’s hearts through my compositions and convey emotions that stay with them forever.

Gabriel Domínguez is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Piano and Composition at the National Center for the Arts.

"If you are an artist, paint until your work speaks for you. If you are a musician, play until your music moves you to tears. Let your passion be the motivation and energy that drive you to achieve the impossible."

-Gabriel Domínguez