Young Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel was the latest recipient of the Saeculum Glashutte Original Music Festival Prize.  On the 23rd of May, 2009, the celebrated Saxon watch manufacture presented Dudamel with his 25,000 Euro award and the distinctive Saeculum Prize which presents a model of the flying tourbillon as conceived by German horologist Alfred Helwig. The prize itself, featuring a base in Elbe sandstone, was crafted by trainees of the Alfred Helwig School of Watchmaking, an important foundation of watchmaking knowledge in Glashutte. 

The presentation took place at the famed Dresden Semperoper.  Bestowing the 28-year old conductor with his prize and hearty congratulations were Gunter Wiegand, Managing Director of Glashutte Original, and Jan Vogler, Director of the Dresden Music Festival.   The prize was in large part a recognition of Dudamel's dedication to "El Sistema", a social program in Venezuela which utilizes a network of musical schools and orchestras to assist impoverished youth in finding positive focus for their lives.  

Dudamel expressed his gratitude for the accolade and prize money, emphasizing that the latter would be used to purchase instruments for the El Sistema orchestras.  He also commented upon the importance of cultivating artistic values in emerging generations.  "That," said Dudamel, "is the most important thing--music and peace, justice and love."

Following the conclusion of the award ceremony, Gustavo Dudamel took to the podium and led the musicians of Amsterdam's Concertgebouw Orchestra in a fine performance of various works, including Sergei Prokofiev's Fifth Symphony in B-flat Major.

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