BERNAL JIMÉNEZ, Miguel – All Classical Research

Born in Morelia, Michoacán, Feb 16, 1910;
León, Guanajuato, July 26, 1956

Miguel Bernal Jiménez [pronunciation] is revered as a composer of sacred music with conservative stylistic traits and an overriding sense of Mexican Nationalism.
At 18, Jiménez was sent to Rome to study at the Pontificio Istituto di Musica Sacra. He completed his degree in 1933 in organ, composition, and Gregorian chant.
In his professional career, Jiménez was an active educator and lecturer, in addition to composing and conducting. In 1939, he founded the Schola Cantorum magazine, the first periodical to publish musicological, musical, and educational material.
- Like Carlos Chávez, Jiménez fought for increased access to music, particularly sacred music.
- From 1954 until his death, Jiménez taught at Loyola University, New Orleans.
As a composer, Jiménez wrote ballets, opera, symphonic works, organ works, and sacred vocal music.¹