Strauss R

An auspicious launch for the Melbourne Symphony’s own label [JQ]

A cunningly devised programme ideally showcasing Quasthoff’s vocal versatility and dramatic gifts [RMo]

Many first-class performances to celebrate the 475th anniversary of the Staatskapelle Dresden [MC]

Good performances but there are preferable versions of the main work [SB]

A lovely supplement to the complete live recording in much better sound [RMo]

A valuable documentation of Delman’s versatility, musically, repertoire-wise and linguistically [GF]

Late recordings, issued in their entirety for the first time, do not show the much loved soprano at her best [PT]

A fascinating compilation of Hölderlin-inspired pieces [JQ]

The only studio recording of Strauss’s biographical opera is a complete winner on all front [MP]

An accomplished, early Strauss chamber work of mild interest and a tender, carefully wrought, but slightly too cautious Metamorphosen [RMo]

Goossens’ final Cincinnati recordings complete a worthwhile 3-CD series [JW]

(Déjà Review) One of the greatest instrumentalists of the 20th century in some of its juiciest music – it’s a disc you can’t really afford to miss [GPJ]

A fine performance, well recorded, but inferior to Sinopoli’s more sensuous account [RMo]

A thoughtful project and, as such, a significant addition to the discography of the Vier letzte Lieder [JQ]

Not ideal in every respect, this recording is a fine achievement nonetheless [MP]

An important album. One which may surprise those who admire this tenor’s Mozart recordings [MP]

Sony’s second Rodziński box fills a significant gap from his Cleveland years [JH]

A fascinating Lieder recital [JQ]

Fine performances for the most part, but the documentation is problematic [LW]

(Déjà Review) A reminder of all the strengths of this cruelly-underrated conductor/composer. Certainly, this is a major addition to the Strauss discography [CC]

Choral singing of formidable accomplishment [JQ]

A delight from start to finish – Carolyn Sampson is on effervescent form [JQ]

Intermittently good, but inconsistent and not outstanding [RMo]

A stimulating medley of the best string music, beautifully executed [RMo]