Alan Gilbert, Dudamel

Alan Gilbert (below) has been named to succeed Lorin Maazel at the New York Philharmonic. Considered part of the Philharmonic family - his mother is a violinist in the orchestra, as was his father, who retired six years ago - Gilbert was, as Daniel Wakin describes it, a frontrunner for the job for some time. At 40, Gilbert is quite a generational change from Maazel, 77. Which brings me to another young conductor, Gustavo Dudamel.

If you remember, Dudamel, 26, has been hired to take over at the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The orchestra isn't wasting time. This morning, when I scanned through the new release section of my iTunes, I noticed a DGG release of a Bartok concert conducted by the Venezuelan music director, and for just $5.99.