“You can’t call up Brahms or Beethoven and be like ‘How do you want this to be played?’” says violinist Rebecca Reale. Working with a living composer, like Grammy-winning Gabriela Ortiz, provides a special experience for orchestra musicians. Last fall we went behind the scenes to see Gustavo Dudamel, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Tambuco Percussion Ensemble, LA Master Chorale, and Ortiz bring her massive work for chorus and orchestra, Yanga, to life on the Walt Disney Concert Hall stage. 

Based on the life of Mexican freedom fighter Gaspar Yanga, this vibrant work is the title track of our second album to feature Ortiz’s music, following 2024’s three-time Grammy Award-winning Revolución diamantina.

“I love working with Gaby, she…really highlights us every single time she writes something,” says Principal Percussionist Matthew Howard.

Read about Yanga by Gabriela Ortiz
Stream and download the album