Toronto (Canada), September 27 (EFE).- The Venezuelan conductor and musician Gustavo Dudamel told Efe that it is an honor to have received the Glenn Gould Prize, the same as his teacher, José Antonio Abreu , received in 2008. creator of “The System”.

Dudamel stressed in a statement to Efe that the Glenn Gould Foundation award, one of the most prestigious awards in the world of music internationally, “has deep meaning”.

“I have always treasured the memory of when my teacher Abreu received this award, he went to Toronto with the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra and felt totally welcomed by everyone there,” explained the Venezuelan composer.

“People have opened their hearts to my teacher, to our ‘El Sistema’ program and to our country and I look forward to reconnecting with everyone there soon. I am overwhelmed and honored to receive this award and grateful to the great Glenn Gould for all he has given to the world and humanity with his art.”

On Sunday, the Glenn Gould Foundation, named after the Canadian pianist considered one of the musical geniuses of the 20th century, announced the award to Dudamel in recognition of his musical work and social activism.

Glenn Gould Foundation executive director Brian Levine said in a statement that Dudamel “is one of the great artists of our time.”

“His commitment to the humanitarian aspect of music is vital and inspiring and points the way to the future of art. Our jury made a brilliant and extraordinary choice,” added Levine.

For his part, the president of the jury, Bob Ezrin, explained that “Gustavo Dudamel is one of the most exciting and inspiring directors in the world today, as well as a great pedagogue, innovator and social activist”.

The Glenn Gould Prize has been awarded for 14 years and carries a cash prize of 100,000 Canadian dollars (72,800 US dollars) as well as a statue by Canadian sculptor Ruth Abernethy.

Dudamel is currently artistic and musical director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic as well as musical director of the Paris Opera and the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra.

The Venezuelan musician was trained in “El Sistema”, a method of improving the education of young people based on music and designed by Abreu, and in 1999, at the age of 18, he became the musical director of the Simón Bolívar Youth Symphony Orchestra. .