Abu Dhabi Classics 2014 award for Venezuelan musician

Abu Dhabi: The founder of Venezuela's 'System of Youth and Children's Orchestras', Jose Antonio Abreu, has been selected as winner of the Abu Dhabi Classic 2014 Award. The award was presented to him by UAE Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, at a performance by the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela at the Emirates Palace hotel, part of the annual Abu Dhabi Classic Music Festival. Abreu was chosen for the award because of his contribution at a global level to the process of social transformation through music. He launched the 'System', ('El Sistema'), a musical education programme that covers the whole of Venezuela, and involves children of all social classes, 40 years ago. The performance by the Simon Bolivar Orchestra, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel, was part of its first-ever tour of the Arabian Gulf, which also included a performance in Muscat. It has also performed in a number of other major cities, including London, Tokyo, Vienna and Los Angeles. Works performed by the orchestra, comprised of over 200 young musicians, included a vibrant and dramatic interpretation of Tchaikovsky's The Tempest Symphonic Fantasia (op.18) and the Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture, as well as a symphony by Beethoven. Their performance concluded with a masterful interpretation of El Alma Llanera, the emblematic Venezuelan folk piece, with which maestro Dudamel closed the night. They were preceded by four members of the Emirati Youth Symphony Orchestra, led by 11 year-old Khawla Al Rayhi, from Ajman, who played pieces from Mozart and Vivaldi. "We are spreading the seed, we want to expand our musical programme in the Arab world," Abreu said, after receiving his award. – Emirates News Agency, WAM