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By Matthew Westphal
26 Jul 2006
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| The August 2006 issue of Gramophone. |
The venerable Gramophone magazine, founded way back in 1923, is launching a new look and format with next month's issue. There will be a new front-of-the-book section, new columnists (Philip Kennicott, Harriet Smith, Armando Iannucci) and new contributions from such renowned musicians as Deborah Voigt, Sarah Chang and Thomas Hampson. And along with all this new material, the magazine is focusing on new talent: the August 2006 Gramophone has a special cover feature spotlighting 20 "Classical Superstars of the Future."
OK, they're not really new — though we'll surely be hearing much more of them than we have so far. Some of these artists are already quite prominent, if not yet superstars: mezzos Joyce DiDonato and Sarah Connolly, conductors Vladimir Jurowski and Alan Gilbert. Some are quickly ascending the operatic and concert ladders: countertenor Philippe Jaroussky, bass-baritone Jonathan Lemalu, violinist Julia Fischer.
A few gained rapid prominence as a result of impressive, high-profile awards. 25-year-old Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel, for instance, won the first Gustav Mahler Conducting Competition in 2004, and promptly acquired international management (Askonas Holt) and a recording contract (Deutsche Grammophon). Trumpeter Alison Balsom was selected as one of BBC Radio 3's New Generation Artists, the sort of honor more likely to go to a pianist, violinist or cellist. Argentine-born pianist Ingrid Fliter was just named the 2006 Gilmore Artist — and it's worth remembering, in terms of her future, that her two immediate predecessors are Piotr Anderszewski (2002) and Leif Ove Andsnes (1998).
And at least one musician on Gramophone's list is, in the humble opinion of a certain writer and editor, already among the very best in the world at what she does: 32-year-old soprano Carolyn Sampson, to these ears unsurpassed in the music of the late Baroque.
The magazine has found some very eminent persons to sing the praises of these rising young stars. Daniel Barenboim declares that Dudamel already "knows everything one cannot learn about music." Mariss Jansons says that the singing of his fellow Latvian, mezzo Elina Garanca, will "bring joy to music lovers around the world." Alfred Brendel calls young violinist Lisa Batiashvili "a musician of the highest gifts"; Christoph von Dohnαnyi says Alan Gilbert is a "born musician" and "one of the leading conductors of the future." Martha Argerich calls pianist Nicholas Angelich "a very special case, quite fascinating, who also interests me as a person."
The August 2006 issue of Gramophone magazine is now on sale.
Gramophone's 20 "Classical Music Superstars of the Future"
Nicholas Angelich, piano; Age 35; Born in USA
Alison Balsom, trumpet; Age 27; Born in Britain
Lisa Batiashvili, violin; Age 27; Born in Georgia
Han-Na Chang, cello; Age 23; Born in Korea
Sarah Connolly, mezzo-soprano; Age 43; Born in Britain
Joyce DiDonato, mezzo-soprano; Age 37; Born in USA
Gustavo Dudamel, conductor; Age 25; Born in Venezuela
Ingrid Fliter, piano; Age 32; Born in Argentina
Julia Fischer, violin; Age 23; Born in Germany
Martin Frφst, clarinet; Age 25, Born in Sweden
Elina Garanca, mezzo-soprano; Age 29; Born in Latvia
Alban Gerhardt, cello; Age 37; Born in Germany
Alan Gilbert, conductor; Age 39; Born in USA
Philippe Jaroussky, countertenor; Age 28; Born in France
Vladimir Jurowski, conductor; Age 34; Born in Russia
Jonathan Lemalu, bass-baritone; Age 30; Born in New Zealand
Kate Royal, soprano, Age 27; Born in England
Carolyn Sampson, soprano; Age 32; Born in Britain
Yevgeny Sudbin, piano; Age 26; Born in Russia
Ilan Volkov, conductor; Age 29; Born in Israel
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