RECORDINGS

The album, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel and released under the Platoon label, is nominated for Best Classical Album, while Gonzalo Grau’s composition ‘Odisea,’ featured on the record, competes for Best Classical Contemporary Composition.

Venezuelan talent once again shines on the international stage with Odyssey, the album by the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela conducted by Maestro Gustavo Dudamel. The production has earned two 2026 Latin Grammy nominations: Best Classical Album and Best Classical Contemporary Composition for the piece 'Odisea' by composer Gonzalo Grau.

Recorded at London’s renowned AIR Studios during the orchestra’s early 2025 tour, the album was released in celebration of the 50th anniversary of El Sistema. The production offers a vibrant musical journey through the landscapes, rhythms, and identity of Latin America, weaving together symphonic traditions with the region's rich musical heritage.

Featured within the repertoire, 'Odisea'—composed by Gonzalo Grau—stands out by placing the Venezuelan cuatro, performed by renowned virtuoso Jorge Glem, at the very heart of the orchestral experience. The instrument takes on an extraordinary prominence within classical music, comparable to that traditionally reserved for the piano or violin in grand solo concertos. This innovative approach earned the composition its nomination for Best Classical Contemporary Composition.

The piece unfolds a musical narrative that connects Cumaná—Glem’s hometown—with Barquisimeto, the birthplace of Dudamel, creating a harmonic dialogue that deeply ties together Venezuelan identity and roots. In doing so, the cuatro transcends its traditional role in folk music to explore new expressive dimensions alongside the full symphony orchestra.

In addition, the album brings together works by renowned Latin American composers, such as Mexican composer Arturo Márquez’s 'Danzón No.9' —commissioned for and dedicated to Maestro Dudamel—and 'A todo terreno' by Venezuelan composer Ricardo Lorenz. The rich blend of musical genres and expressions in the recording highlights the creative vitality of Latin America and its lasting impact on contemporary classical music.

The two nominations recognize both the artistic and production value of Odyssey as an album, as well as the creative vision of 'Odisea,' its centerpiece composition. This international recognition highlights the collective dedication of the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela, Gustavo Dudamel, Jorge Glem, and the composers who brought this project to life.

Five decades after its founding by Maestro José Antonio Abreu, El Sistema continues to foster musical education and elevate Venezuelan talent on the world stage. The 2026 Latin Grammy nominations for Odyssey represent a new opportunity to demonstrate the artistic excellence of its musicians and the capacity of Venezuelan music to engage with great symphonic traditions through its own cultural identity.