Just as Hollywood's output caters to all tastes, so Los Angeles' Philharmonic revels in classical music's variety and depth. Over the years, the orchestra has called on the services of great European maestros of the old school—such as Carlo Maria Giulini, who made some magnificent recordings—as well as larger-than-life musical personalities including Zubin Mehta. Nowadays, it's led by a superstar conductor, Venezuela's Gustavo Dudamel. His predecessor Esa-Pekka Salonen helped foster a taste for the new and left a large and wide-ranging catalog. Richness of sound, rhythmic precision, and an extraordinarily eclectic musical taste make the LA Phil one of the US's most exciting ensembles.