Symphonies Nos 5 & 7

Gustavo Dudamel, the 25-year-old Venezuelan whom The Times has proclaimed the hottest conductor on the planet, launches his recording career with revelatory new readings of two milestones of symphonic repertoire

The recording, which took place in Caracas, Venezuela, features the extraordinary Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela, of which Dudamel has served as chief conductor since 1999. The SBYOV is the leading orchestra of the Venezuelan national system of youth orchestras frequently mentored by top conductors such as Claudio Abbado and Sir Simon Rattle

Dudamels international career has skyrocketed in recent months, with highlights including his Proms debut, a European tour with his Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela, acclaimed guest appearances in musical capitals including Berlin, Paris and London, and a celebrated US debut in LA. Dudamel will open the 2006/2007 season at La Scala and has recently been appointed the new chief conductor of the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra

His excellence on the podium has brought Dudamel not only the attention and admiration of critics, audiences and fellow musicians, but also the admiration of the top conductors of our time: Sir Simon Rattle called him "the most astonishingly gifted conductor I've ever come across", and Claudio Abbado has said that "Dudamel and his young orchestras devotion to music have deeply impressed me"