Gabriela Ortiz y Gustavo Dudamel. (File Photo AFP)
Gabriela Ortiz and Gustavo Dudamel won three Grammys for a classical music album. (File Photo AFP)

Two Latinos took home three Grammys, making classical music

Gabriela Ortiz and Gustavo Dudamel took home three Grammys at Sunday's gala. Here's how the story went.

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At Sunday's Grammy Awards 2025 gala, two Latin American figures stood out in an exceptional way: Mexican composer Gabriela Ortiz and Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel. Their collaboration in the production "Revolución Diamantina" earned them three awards: Best Orchestral Performance, Best Classical Compendium and Best Contemporary Classical Composition.

Born in 1964 into a family of musicians, Gabriela Ortiz grew up immersed in an environment where music was a way of life. Her parents were founding members of Los Folkloristas, a group dedicated to the interpretation of Latin American folk music. This early influence is reflected in her work, which fuses traditional and contemporary elements.

Ortiz has been recognized for her ability to address social and political issues through her music. Her work "Revolución Diamantina" is inspired by Mexico's 2019 "Glitter Revolution," a feminist movement that emerged in response to gender violence and femicides in the country. The title refers to an event in which protesters threw pink glitter at Mexico City's police chief, symbolizing the fight against institutional indifference to violence against women.

In addition to her compositional work, Ortiz has played a key role in music education in Mexico. She is a professor of composition at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and has been admitted to El Colegio Nacional, one of the country's most prestigious institutions. Her commitment to the training of new generations of musicians is a natural extension of her dedication to culture and society.

A Venezuelan with the baton

Gustavo Dudamel, born in 1981 in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, is recognized worldwide for his energy and passion in orchestral conducting. Trained in "El Sistema", the Venezuelan music education program founded by José Antonio Abreu, Dudamel has taken his talent to the world's major concert halls. He is currently music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Paris Opera, and is preparing to take the helm of the New York Philharmonic in the 2026-2027 season.

Dudamel has been a fervent advocate of contemporary music and has worked closely with living composers to expand the orchestral repertoire. His collaboration with Gabriela Ortiz is a testament to his commitment to diversity and inclusion in classical music. Under his baton, the Los Angeles Philharmonic has performed and recorded several of Ortiz's works, bringing her music to international audiences.

The award-winning work

The production "Revolución Diamantina" is a milestone in the careers of both artists. Recorded live at Walt Disney Concert Hall during performances in October 2022 and November 2023, the work includes three compositions by Ortiz: "Altar de cuerda", a violin concerto performed by María Dueñas; "Kauyumari"; and the title piece "Revolución Diamantina", featuring the Los Angeles Master Chorus.

The collaboration between Gabriela Ortiz and Gustavo Dudamel has been a pleasant surprise for art lovers and for Latinos who understand how culture and art are vehicles of transformation for any person.

In a world where migration and the status of Latinos is in question, these awards for a homegrown talent from the region are an encouragement.

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