Axel Retif 

Composer, producer, and sonic artist whose music is known for its electric, dynamic, and abrasive character. From a single musical idea, he constructs immersive sonic landscapes that unfold with a sense of time that is both patient and explosive. His work explores intricate textures and striking contrasts, engaging performers and listeners in deeply compelling auditory experiences.

From 2022 to 2025, his compositions have been performed in over 90 concerts by artists hailing from more than a dozen countries, including the United States, Germany, Argentina, Chile, Finland, South Korea, Venezuela, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. His music has been interpreted by more than 40 distinguished ensembles and soloists, among them the Arditti Quartet, Splinter Reeds, Loadbang, Slee Sinfonietta, Mushamukas Ensamble de Contrabajos, Duo Yonx, Trío Siqueiros, and the Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de Puebla.

He has participated in prominent festivals and institutions including CAMPGround Festival (USA), June in Buffalo (USA), Festival Internacional Cervantino (Mexico), Foro Internacional de Música Nueva Manuel Enríquez (Mexico), Festival Atemporánea (Argentina), Festival Internacional de Santa Rosa (Bolivia), Encuentro de Intérpretes y Compositores (Argentina), Festival Trinchera (Argentina), Ramificaciones (Mexico), and the John Donald Robb Composers’ Symposium (USA).

His discography includes three monographic albums, Sincronías (2021), House of Flies (2022), and Broken Sands (2025), all released by Tagma Records, the independent label he directs. He is also featured on the collective album Ecos de Viaje – Homenaje a Stefano Scodanibbio, with his piece Taos, commissioned and recorded by Mushamukas Ensamble de Contrabajos. This work represented Mexico and Radio UNAM at the 69th International Rostrum of Composers in The Hague (2023). His orchestral work 5 de mayo: La Batalla de Puebla, commissioned by the Secretaría de Cultura de Puebla, was premiered by the Orquesta Sinfónica del Estado de Puebla in 2024.

Retif holds a Master of Arts in Music Composition and Theory from The University of New Mexico. He currently serves as the artistic and executive director of Festival Methexis and as director/editor of Tagma Records.