Gramophone Names 20 "Classical Superstars of the Future"

By Matthew Westphal
July 26, 2006

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