Next Generation Classical: WGUC's Top CDs of 2007

An award-winning recording artist since the age of fifteen, the French pianist has collaborated with many of the world's major orchestras and is a founder and co-director of The Wolf Conservation Center based in New York. Regarded as a great warhorse, Beethoven's "Emperor" concerto appears fresh and vibrant at the hands of Grimaud.

Vladimir Jurowski conducts the Dresden Staatskapelle, with pianist Helene Grimaud. (DG 477 6595)

This award-winning 36-year-old Russian violinist offers a commanding presence on the concert stage and a pure, fluid, effortless sound in these violin masterpieces by Beethoven.

Riccardo Muti conducts the Vienna Philharmonic, with violinist Vadim Repin. (DG 477 6596)

This marks the twelfth recording with Paavo Jarvi and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, one of few American orchestras with an active recording contract. Son of conducting icon Neeme Jarvi, whose own discography numbers hundreds of recordings, the younger Jarvi and the CSO—regarded as a top American orchestra—are on their way up, beautifully performing these two Tchaikovsky stalwarts.

Paavo Jarvi conducts the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. (Telarc 80681)

The 25-year-old Chinese pianist received his big American break in 1999 filling in at the Ravinia Festival's "Gala of the Century," playing Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He's been recording and touring extensively ever since.

Known for his technical bravura, Lang Lang showcases a light, lyrical touch, as well, in these tuneful titans of the piano repertoire.

Christoph Eschenbach conducts the Orchestre de Paris, with pianist Lang Lang. This recording is a Grammy Nominee. (DG 477 6596)

This new operatic "dream team" established itself in charismatic performances of "La Traviata" at the 2005 Salzburg Festival. Here the soprano and tenor perform love duets from opera's greatest composers, such as Puccini, Donizetti, and Verdi.

Nicola Luisotti conducts the Dresden Staatskapelle, with soprano Anna Netrebko & tenor Rolando Villazon. (DG 477 6663)

Despite this choral group's name—"Stile Antico" means "old style"—this is an ensemble of young British singers gaining acclaim. In 2005, the group won the Audience Prize at the Early Music Network International Young Artists' Competition and tours throughout the UK. The group's debut CD contains music by England's great choral composers, such as William Byrd and Thomas Tallis.

Stile Antico performs a cappella music for Compline. This recording is a Grammy Nominee. (Harmonia Mundi 807419)

The crisp, light sound of the Grammy award-winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra meets its match in the violin artistry of Sarah Chang, the now twenty-something child prodigy. Vivaldi's tuneful, and at times dramatic, "Four Seasons" concertos provide a perfect vehicle for the Orpheus/Chang pairing.

The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra performs with violinist Sarah Chang. (EMI 94431-2)

This new 5-CD set of all nine quintessential symphonies by Beethoven offers a great way to jump-start a music-lover's collection of great recordings. As a young performer, multi-talented Pletnev also won the Gold Medal at the Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition in Moscow.

Mikhail Pletnev conducts the Russian National Orchestra. (DG 477 6409)

This all-male choral ensemble has been performing for ten years and already claims an impressive collection of quality recordings. This lush arrangement of Pavel Chesnokov's "Salvation is Created" fully utilizes all voice ranges, as does Morten Lauridsen's "Ave Dulcissima Maria." Music on this CD ranges from 9th-century plainchant to the world-premiere recordings of Lee Hoiby's "Last Letter Home," and Peter Hamlin's "Casey at the Bat." "Cantus" is the name of both the ensemble and the CD. (Cantus Recordings CTS-1207)

Creating a stir in the classical recording world, this relatively unknown 30-year-old pianist recently released her debut album of Bach's gargantuan work for solo keyboard. Dinnerstein offers a fresh and appealing perspective on the 30 variations, previously recorded by such renowned pianists as Glenn Gould and Andras Schiff.

Simone Dinnerstein performs Bach's Goldberg Variations. (Telarc 80692)