David Garrett

At age 31, German violinist David Garrett can already look back on a matchless career. At age 13 he was the youngest artist signed to Deutsche Grammophon. A Juilliard graduate and a technically superb musician, his own recordings have caused a stir with fans and critics alike, mixing classical works by the likes of Paganini with classic rock pieces by the likes of Metallica, and his own compositions. “Classical music is where my heart lies,” he says, but by using elements of pop, rock, and rhythm and blues, he brings younger audiences to classical music, and his 6 releases have garnered Echo Awards (the German equivalent of the Grammy) for “Classic without Borders” and “Bestseller of the Year.” His latest release is Rock Symphonies (2010), featuring classics from all ages, from Baroque to modern times, from Bach to Nirvana.