Conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela have been given the 2007 WQXR Gramophone Special Recognition Award.

"This award is given in special recognition of an organization or person that has made an exceptional contribution to expanding the boundaries of classical music," said Leonard Bernstein's son, Alexander Bernstein, who presented the award at Carnegie Hall before the orchestra's rehearsal on November 10. The award is part of a partnership between The New York Times-owned and operated classical music radio station, and the British magazine, Gramophone.

Bernstein fils called the orchestra a "hope-filled example of the transformative power of music.

“This orchestra, you, Maestro Dudamel, and the awesome ‘System’ [El Sistema, the remarkable state foundation overseeing 125 youth orchestras and an instrument training program] put in place in Venezuela by Dr. [Jose Antonio] Abreu embody the spirit and purpose of my father’s entire life in music and education," said Bernstein. "Your fearlessness, hard work, commitment, love and respect for one another, and sheer joy in music-making are a marvel that would surely leave even Leonard Bernstein speechless.”

Bernstein was asked to present the award on behalf of WQXR because of the youth orchestra's fondness for and connection with his father's music. "We thought it would be a wonderful welcome to New York City,” said WQXR program director Margaret Mercer.

Dudamel and the orchestra made their New York debut yesterday as part of Carnegie Hall's "Berlin in Lights" festival. They will appear again tonight, performing Bartok's Concerto for Orchestra and Shostakovich's Symphony No. 10.

The Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela was founded in 1975 by economist and musician, Jose Antonio Abreu, under the auspices of the Fundacion del Estado para el Sistema Nacional de las Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles de Venezuela, known colloquially as El Sistema. The scope of El Sistem's reach, along with the extraordinary musicians its has produced, including Dudamel, have rendered it an unparalleled national achievement.

"Jose Antonio Abreu…has shown that music is a force for social change," said Bernstein.

By Kevin Shihoten