This week audiences are in for rarely performed works by unknown composers as well as a complete recording of Wagner’s final installment of the Ring Cycle. Here is a look:

Nikolay Myaskovsky: Vocal Works, Volume Two: Complete Songs for Baritone and Piano

Ilya Kuzmin and Dzambolat Dulaev perform the works of Nikolay Myaskovsky alongside pianist Olga Solovieva. The new album presents the entire output of songs for baritone and piano, most of them early works responding to Russian lyric poetry with the calm dignity typical of his compositions. Toccata Classics releases.

Wagner’s ‘Götterdämmerung’

Deutsche Grammophon releases the 2022 Bayreuth Festival’s production of “Götterdämmerung” on Blu-Ray. Austrian director Valentin Schwarz directs the production which is conducted by Cornelius Meister. The production stars Bayreuth veterans, Iréne Theorin and Albert Dohmen, as well as new stars such as Clay Hilley and Elisabeth Teige.

Cécile Chaminade – “Saisons d’amour” 

Scene DG releases the new album by singer Katharina Kammerloher, which features lieder (songs) by Chaminade. She is accompanied by pianist Johann Blanchard.  and violinist Jiyoon Lee.

In a Grove

Christopher Cerrone and Stephanie Fleischmann’s opera “In a Grove” will be released featuring singers soprano Lindsay Kesselman, countertenor Chuanyuan Liu, tenor Andrew Turner, and baritone John Taylor Ward. They are accompanied by the intrepid Metropolis Ensemble.

Philipp Ahmann and the MDR Leipzig Radio Choir – Mendelssohn Choral Works

The MDR Leipzig Radio Choir and its Chief Conductor Philipp Ahmann present a collection of Felix Mendelssohn’s choral music.

In a statement, Philipp Ahmann, Chief Conductor, MDR Leipzig Radio Choir said, “Felix Mendelssohn is, for me, the outstanding composer for choral works in the 19th century. His compositions reveal a mastery of making voices sound that can hardly be found in any other composer. Of course, there are already many recordings of his choral works, but most of them feature chamber choirs. Therefore, I hope that we, as a larger choir for which most of the works were originally written, can offer another colour to this palette and come closer to Mendelssohn’s ideal of choral sound. Last but not least, we are very pleased to add a world-premiere recording to his canon of famous works with the short but imposing Heilig, MWV B 47, whose existence has only been known since 2009.”

PENTATONE releases.

Reconnaissance 

BIS Records will release Kaija Saariaho’s new album “Reconnaissance.”

In a statement, Robert von Bahr (Founder & CEO of BIS Records) writes, “The SACD starts with ‘a ray from heaven’ with one of the most beautiful soprano voices I have heard. It will symbolize my memories of this great composer. In the context of this tragic fact, the title of the first (and last) piece takes on a special meaning: Nuits, adieux. Nights, goodbye, indeed, Kaija! Rest in peace, wherever you are!! Your friend Robert.”

The album includes the Helsinki Chamber Choir under Nils Schweckendiek.