Saint-Saëns Symphony No 3 & other works spectacularly launches both Hyperion's releases for 2019 and a revelatory mini-series dedicated to the composer's major orchestral works. Expect some real discoveries along the way, starting with the principal coupling in this first instalment. Thierry Fischer excels in such repertoire and his Utah Symphony forces respond enthusiastically: a thrilling choice for January's Record of the Month. Natalie Clein is not only a wonderful cellist, but an inspired curator of interesting and unexpected programmes. Her latest album is no exception—a recital of English music from the First World War and its aftermath, centred on Rebecca Clarke's Viola Sonata and Frank Bridge's Cello Sonata—and brings passionate performances from Natalie and pianist Christian Ihle Hadland.

No new release from Garrick Ohlsson should ever be missed, and here he contributes a very special recital of Late Piano Works by Brahms, a composer with whom he has a close and lifelong association; three sets of miniatures from the deep twilight of Brahms's compositional life, an energetic early scherzo written some forty years previously providing the contrasting encore. Luís Toscano specializes in the music of his native Portugal, and here he directs his vocal ensemble Cupertinos in Cardoso Requiem, Lamentations, Magnificat & motets. This is an outstanding recording of a composer from the golden age of Portuguese polyphony, steeped in the fervent Catholicism of his time and place.

On LSO Live a mammoth new set entitled Berlioz Odyssey brings together all of Sir Colin Davis’ iconic Berlioz recordings made for the label with the London Symphony Orchestra: from celebrated interpretations of popular orchestral works to landmark opera recordings, including the double Grammy Award-winning Les Troyens.