Anne Akiko Meyers Wins Latin Grammy for 'Fandango' Violin Concerto

By Laurie Niles: "Fandango" - the violin concerto written by Mexican composer Arturo Marquez for violinist Anne Akiko Meyers - won big Thursday at the 25th Annual Latin Grammy Awards ceremony in Miami. The album Fandango won "Best Classical Album," with Meyers, baritone Gustavo Castillo, conductor Gustavo Dudamel, and album producer Dmitriy Lipay accepting the award. Recorded live at Walt Disney Concert Hall, the album features the world-premiere recording of the violin concerto, as well as "Estancia," by Alberto Ginastera, featuring Castillo as both narrator and soloist. The violin concerto "Fandango" itself garnered "Best Classical Contemporary Composition" for composer Marquez. "In 2018, after hearing (Marquez's) 'Danzon No. 2' - music that made my heart and soul dance - my dream for a mariachi-inspired violin concerto was reignited," Meyers said. "Soon after, I approached the great Arturo Márquez. He shared with me that his late father was a mariachi violinist, and he was waiting to write this music that stirred in his heart for decades. 'Fandango' was soon born when I gave the world premiere at the Hollywood Bowl in 2021, with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel conducting - and dancing!" The recording came a year later, and by now Meyers has performed the work with more than 25 orchestras across the United States and Mexico. Here is a trailer for the album, with comments by Meyers and excerpts from the concerto: "It is such an honor to receive a Latin Grammy for 'Fandango," Meyers said. "I am so thankful to my collaborators Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic for their stunning performances and to Dmitriy Lipay and Platoon for turning these live concerts into such a fantastic recording. 'Fandango' is one of the most remarkable new works composed for violin and orchestra and I am thrilled that this recording, which has already been embraced by music fans around the world, has received such prestigious recognition." Márquez said that "Anne Akiko Meyers is the heart and soul of 'Fandango' - a violin concerto especially composed for her virtuosic and expressive playing, and Gustavo Dudamel is one of the greatest conductors in music history. I am indebted to their vibrant and heartfelt performance of my violin concerto." You might also like:

• Interview with Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers: Premiering Arturo Márquez's 'Fandango' Violin Concerto
• REVIEW: Anne Akiko Meyers Performs Arturo Márquez Violin Concerto with Dudamel and LA Phil
• Anne Akiko Meyers, Curtis Stewart, Peter Herresthal Among Nominees for 2024 GRAMMY Awards

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