The award of the Best World Music Album Grammy to Angélique Kidjo’s “Sings” on Monday night proved to be a win for Luxembourg. The album was arranged entirely by local composer and conductor Gast Waltzing and recorded with the Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg.

The album combines classical European music with the sounds and rhythm of West Africa to create an unexpected yet magical blend that has been well received all over the world. Kidjo made sure to thank Waltzing’s vision and the OPL during her acceptance speech.

In an interview with Delano to be published in our April edition on 11 March, Waltzing modestly says: “For me, it is an incredible honour that we got nominated for a Luxembourgish product. I’m really thankful for the opportunity that the Philharmonie has given us; they have been so open-minded and so supportive. We wouldn’t have had this amount of success without them.” It is a win for Luxembourg, he said.

Waltzing, who was at the awards ceremony, continues the collaboration with Kidjo later this year when he conducts her performances with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and the Czech National Orchestra.

Meanwhile, Luxembourg audiences will have a chance to see another female winner from the 2016 Grammys perform live very soon. Cécile McLorin Salvant, who won for Best Jazz Vocal Album with “For One To Love”, returns to Luxembourg (she performed at the Philharmonie in March 2014 and the at the Wiltz festival in the summer of 2014) for a Ladies Of Jazz concert at the Philharmonie on Sunday 6 March.