| Keyword |
Description |
| Concerto |
A musical work for one or more solo instruments with an orchestra, usually in several movements |
| Composer |
A person who creates and writes music |
| Residency |
A long-term artistic position at a cultural institution, where an artist creates and sometimes performs new work |
Mexican composer Gabriela Ortiz has become one of the most important voices in contemporary classical music, and her recent success at the 68th Grammy Awards proves it. She won the award for best contemporary classical composition for her piece “Dzonot,” a cello concerto inspired by the cenotes, the natural sinkholes of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. This work was written for cellist Alisa Weilerstein and performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, placing Ortiz on the global front line of classical music. Her night at the Grammys was not just a personal victory, but also a moment of pride for Mexican music.
“Dzonot” is part of the album “Gabriela Ortiz: Yanga,” which also received Grammys for best classical compendium and best choral performance. In these categories, Ortiz is recognized as the composer, while the main awards go to the performers and producers involved in the project. On social media, she celebrated winning three Grammys with “Yanga,” explaining that the project is deeply connected to her roots, memory, and her belief that music can carry history, dignity, and hope. Her words show how art can be both personal and political, telling stories that matter.
Ortiz’s path to this moment began in Mexico City, where she was born into a family of musicians who helped found the folk group Los Folkloristas. As a child, she played the charango, a small Andean string instrument, and the guitar, before focusing on classical piano and composition. She studied with Mexican composers Mario Lavista and Federico Ibarra, then continued her education in London at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and City University of London, where she earned a doctorate. Her music often blends concert tradition with electronics and multimedia, reflecting her broad artistic vision.
Today, Ortiz is composer-in-residence at major institutions such as Carnegie Hall, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Philharmonia Orchestra in London, and the Palau de la Música Catalana in Barcelona. Gustavo Dudamel, the famous music director of the L.A. Philharmonic, has called her “one of the most talented composers in the world,” and she has now been recognized in six Grammy wins. In 2025, she also won a Grammy for “Revolución diamantina,” a large-scale ballet score and album with the L.A. Philharmonic and Dudamel, which was the first full album of her orchestral music. Her story shows how a musician from Mexico can influence stages and audiences all over the world.
Bridging words
These words sound similar in English and Spanish: Why not practice them now?
| English |
Spanish |
| Concerto |
Concierto |
| Composition |
Composición |
| Doctorate |
Doctorado |
Time to discuss
- Why do you think it is important that a Mexican composer is receiving international recognition?
- How can music help tell stories about history and identity?
- What might be challenging about creating contemporary classical music today?
Let's write
Answer the following questions in one paragraph:
- Describe how Gabriela Ortiz’s background and studies helped shape her music and career.
- Write about why projects like “Dzonot” or “Yanga” can be important for Mexican culture and for young musicians.
