Is this another collaboration with LSO Live in similar vein to The Mariinsky and NSO labels?

As it happens, I attended the MSO yesterday for a Debussy and Strauss concert, not the ones on this recording. New conductor Jaime Martin is just fabulous with everything.
I do not live in metropolitan Melbourne. I live an hour's train ride away. But I do attend concerts on occasion. I have been attending more lately with the arrival of Maestro Martin. He makes everything just shine!!!!
And now we have the first sacd on the MSO label. It is available from May 31 on the orchestral website.

As to any connection to LSO Live, perhaps that will be clearer once I get the disc and read the booklet.
However, both those noted associations were with LSO conductors. I don't believe that Jaime Martin is affiliated with the LSO.

In the past the Melbourne Symphony released sacds on Chandos. But that all is a fair while ago.

Thanks, Steven for your comments. I listened to snippets on Presto. What a beautiful voice! I ordered through Amazon.fr (évidemment!)

Well, 'yes' is the answer to my own earlier question! All explained here;

https://www.mso.com.au/media-centre/press-releases/melbourne-symphony-orchestra-launches-in-house-record-label-in-partnership-with-lso-live
o go

Evidently the LSO Live model works financially and artistically so it's a no-brainer for other progressive orchestras to follow their model. Sadly, the geopolitical situation in Europe has robbed us of the Mariinsky label but good to see the NSO in Washington DC and now Melbourne are keeping the faith. As mainstream music labels give up on SACD this may be the way for others to go.

HF, Thanks for that.
BTW, your link didn't work for me, but I found the article on the orchestra website and have pasted it below:

https://www.mso.com.au/media-centre/press-releases/melbourne-symphony-orchestra-launches-in-house-record-label-in-partnership-with-lso-live

This is really just the best news!!!!
Jaime Martin has really lifted the playing of the orchestra, and now everyone everywhere will be able to hear for themselves.

FWIW, going to yet another concert later this week. However, it will be with a different conductor. Still, I suspect the orchestra will play at the same high level.

Debussy & Strauss is the first release of recordings stemming from a new production and distribution partnership, signed in December 2022, between the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra(MSO) and the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO).Chief Conductor Jaime Martín praises the new release. “The Strauss and Debussy concerts with the incredible Siobhan Stagg were among my personal highlights of 2023,” says Martín. “Our partnership with the LSO means that the first recording on our new label will receive international distribution and promotion, allowing the MSO to share this wonderful music with the largest possible audience.”
 

Like no doubt for so many, my long-term favourite recording of the ‘Vier Letzte Lieder’ is the one with Jessey Norman (RBCD Philips 411 052-2), but it is getting dated. A comparable one in high resolution would, therefore, be most welcome. I had high hopes for this latest addition. Listening to available snippets I liked the beautiful voice of Siobhan Stagg. Now that I’ve received my copy and compared it with other renditions on my shelves (Harteros, Röschmann, Norman, Brewer) I’m less positively inclined.

As Graham pointed out, there is much to go for, but it doesn’t replace Christine Brewer with the superior Atlanta Symphony, recorded in native DSD, whose voice carries in my view more compassionate weight (Telarc SACD-50661). I did not notice any excessive reverb in the surround as some but not all have complained about (different batch?).

As for Debussy, Graham’s review is spot on. There is no competition.

A final remark: There may not be a measure on quality, but I find 39 minutes a bit frugal.

By wide consensus, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf's 1953 recording of Vier Letzte Lieder has been the outstanding choice for this work and virtually unchallenged ever since although she re-recorded it later c 1965.


Strauss: Vier Letzte Lieder - Schwarzkopf, Szell


Like Adrian I was tempted by this new release, partly it must be said to support a new label but his comment about Vier Letzte Lieder has tempered my enthusiasm somewhat. SACD are not cheap anymore.

This one is finally out. I received my copy in the mail yesterday. And I played it a couple of times last evening. Everything in Graham's review is just spot on. Pity there is not another piece of music on the disc, but that's how it is. This is a very worthy addition.
Given that the Elizabeth Schwarzkopf recording is still available at CD Japan, I might get it in my next order there. Always good to have a comparison to a treasured favorite.

Agree completely - short only on playing time but the quality more than makes up for it. A quite wonderful account of the Strauss (some delightfully translucent playing of this marvellous score) and Dean's arrangement of the Debussy is fast becoming a favourite. Very good recording too.

Oh no! Now what should I do?

Is it available on a streaming platform that you can access?

FWIW, Siobhan Stagg will be featured again in a couple of months at the Melbourne Symphony, singing Faure's Requiem. I might have to book a ticket for the concert now.

Alas, Siobhan Stagg's "Vier Letzte Lieder" elicited no emotional feelings in me whatsoever. Well sung certainly with beautifully measured accompaniment by the Melbourne Symphony but overall just another recording that will demand little airing. Maybe I am becoming just too old, yet even now, seventy years on, these songs in the tender care of Schwarzkopf will reduce me to tears at every playing. Raw and uncontrollable emotions can be released when music truly connects with one's soul. Sadly Stagg made no connection with me whatsoever.

Otherwise, the performances are generally tidy and agreeable but the MSO will need to up their game on content if they are to achieve sustainable success in the marketplace.