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Seattle Symphony named orchestra of the year

SEATTLE — The Seattle Symphony orchestra was named orchestra of the year at the 2018 Gramophone Classical Music Awards.

On Thursday, the symphony shared the news, after a ceremony in London.

The Seattle Symphony celebrated its musicians and music director Ludovic Morlot, who has been a leader of the symphony since 2011.

Under Morlot's direction, the symphony has explored French music and the span of over 100 years of music by Berlioz, Debussy, Dutilleux, Fauré, Messiaen and Ravel.

“I am so proud of our orchestra,” Morlot said.

The other orchestras nominated for the award were the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Freiburg Baroque Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Il Pomo d’Oro, Les Siècles and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.

The Seattle Symphony has received three Grammy Awards and 23 Grammy nominations.

After an executive order was issued last year restricting travel and immigration from specific Middle Eastern countries, the symphony celebrated immigrants with a free concert called, "Music Beyond Borders: Voices From The Seven."

"Diversity is something which is personal to our orchestra," David Gordon, principal trumpet player of the orchestra, said. "The Seattle Symphony is comprised of more than 80 musicians, and about a quarter of us are immigrants."

Gordon introduced a piece by Iranian composer Gity Razaz.

As he spoke, he was interrupted by waves of applause. In response, Gordon bowed his head, smiling.

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