Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra achieves first Grammy nomination for 2026

Published at: 28/01/2026 02:40 PM

The Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela (SSBV) won for the first time a nomination for the 2026 Grammy Awards from the United States Recording Academy, in the Best Orchestral Performance category, for its recording of Maurice Ravel's Boléro, M.81.

In this regard, the executive director of the Symphony Orchestra, Eduardo Méndez, stressed that this recognition is the result of a profound artistic evolution. “There is an important generational mix; it is a young orchestra that has undergone multiple training processes. That characteristic sound has not remained static; the perfect conjunction between Gustavo Dudamel and the orchestra generates that unique color that represents Venezuela,” he said, according to Radio Miraflores.

He also highlighted that this nomination transcends the musical aspect and is testimony to the educational model founded by Maestro José Antonio Abreu. “Seeing the boys in the orchestra, who are now teachers of the highest level, is an inspiration for all children and young people in schools across the country. This nomination gives them hope that they too can achieve these objectives through the study and methodology of The System,” he said.

The production, captured in London in 2025 under the baton of maestro Gustavo Dudamel and under the Platoon record label, was selected from among the shortlists that include the Boston Symphony Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony and the National Philharmonic.

This milestone marks the first time that a Latin American orchestra has competed in this category in the history of the awards, highlighting the technical excellence and distinctive sound of the Venezuelan group against ensembles with recognized worldwide trajectory.

Mazo News Team