Conexión latina I — Youth Orchestra of Venezuela conducted by Gustavo Dudamel

«Conexión latina I»

**Youth Orchestra of Venezuela**

Gustavo Dudamel, conductor

Shostakovich, Symphony No. 7 "Leningrad"

The **Youth Orchestra of Venezuela**, a cornerstone of the National System of Youth and Children's Orchestras and Choirs of Venezuela ("El Sistema"), represents the pinnacle of the country's young musical talent. Founded in 1975 by maestro José Antonio Abreu, this initiative seeks to transform the lives of children and youth through collective music practice.

This orchestra has been a breeding ground for outstanding musicians and conductors, such as Gustavo Dudamel, who began his career in El Sistema and is now internationally recognized. The ensemble has participated in international tours, performing on world-renowned stages and collaborating with prestigious conductors and soloists.

The repertoire of the Youth Orchestra of Venezuela spans from classical works to contemporary compositions, including pieces by Venezuelan composers, reflecting its commitment to promoting the nation's musical culture. Moreover, the orchestra has been acclaimed for its artistic excellence and social work, receiving international awards such as the Prince of Asturias Award for the Arts and the UNESCO International Music Prize.

**Gustavo Dudamel. Conductor**

Gustavo Dudamel is committed to creating a better world through music. His unwavering belief that art has the power to inspire and transform lives drives his dedication to education and access for underserved communities, expanding the reach of classical music to new audiences. His rise—from modest beginnings in Venezuela to a career filled with unparalleled artistic and social achievements—is clear evidence that culture can give meaning to an individual's life and bring greater harmony to the entire world. He currently serves as Music and Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, and in 2026 will assume the role of Music and Artistic Director of the New York Philharmonic, continuing a legacy that includes Mahler, Toscanini, and Bernstein. In 2025, Dudamel will celebrate the 50th anniversary of El Sistema, honoring José Antonio Abreu’s visionary global educational program and recognizing the vital importance of arts education.

He is a genuine phenomenon in popular culture. Dudamel was the youngest conductor ever to lead the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s Concert. He has performed at global events and collaborated with icons of popular music. He conducted the adaptation of Spielberg’s *West Side Story* and led the opening and closing credits of *Star Wars: The Force Awakens*. His extensive discography has earned seven Grammy Awards and nine additional nominations.

Dudamel has served as a passionate advocate for music education and social integration through the arts, sharing his own transformative experience in Venezuela’s El Sistema as an example of how music can give purpose and meaning to a young person and help them overcome difficult circumstances. In 2007, Dudamel and the LA Phil founded YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles). In 2012, he launched the Dudamel Foundation—co-chaired with his wife, actress and director María Valverde—with the goal of expanding “access to music and the arts by providing tools and opportunities for young people to shape their creative futures.” The Dudamel Foundation has organized its Encuentros initiative around the world, from Spain to the Hollywood Bowl, to explore cultural unity and celebrate harmony, equality, dignity, beauty, and respect through music.