Joaquín de la Cuesta 
Conductor

Joaquín de la Cuesta is a Spanish conductor (orchestra and choirs) and double bassist, born in Lleida (Spain) and based in Iceland. His work centres on artistic direction, programme thinking, and long-term repertoire development. He trained in symphonic conducting (ABRSM) and holds conservatory-level qualifications in double bass and choral/orchestral conducting in Barcelona.

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He combines a solid command of core symphonic repertoire with a distinctive focus on Spanish symphonic music of the nineteenth century and the early decades of the twentieth. This specialism shapes his artistic profile and informs programmes that connect established concert traditions with repertoire discovery—bringing lesser-known Spanish works into a modern orchestral context in a way that remains audience-focused and presentable to international presenters.

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Recent conducting engagements include the Filharmonia Zabrzańska (Zabrze, Poland) and Strengsveitin Spiccato (Reykjavík), as well as invitations to conduct the Wiener Postsymphony (Vienna) and the Orquesta Sinfónica Estable de Tucumán (Argentina).

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De la Cuesta has worked with orchestral and choral ensembles in several countries and continues to develop projects across symphonic and choral formats. His background as a double bassist includes extensive orchestral experience; he was a member of the Joven Orquesta Nacional de España (JONDE) and has performed in a range of professional settings in Spain and Iceland. In Iceland, he has also been active as an instrumental teacher and ensemble leader, complementing his conducting work with a strong educational profile.

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Alongside performance, he pursues musicological and editorial interests centred on Spanish repertoire, reflecting a commitment not only to interpretation but also to the rediscovery and preparation of rarely performed works. This combination of practical musicianship, research-driven programming, and stylistic affinity for Spanish symphonic literature defines his artistic signature: a conductor with a clear identity, capable of delivering mainstream repertoire with reliability—while offering presenters a compelling, distinctive repertoire perspective.

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