In December 2022, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra announced it was partnering with the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) to launch a new in-house record label as part of a bilateral agreement to expand the MSO’s international reach and showcase Australian musicians, artists and composers.

That agreement bears its first fruit on 31 May with the release of the Debussy & Strauss.

Siobhan Stagg, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Jaime Martín. Photo @

Conducted by MSO Chief Conductor Jaime Martín and featuring soprano Siobhan Stagg, the CD was recorded live in Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne, in February and March 2023. It will serve as a permanent record of the MSO’s Strauss and Debussy concerts, which were among Martín’s “personal favourites” of that season.

“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,” Martín said.

Stagg performed Strauss’ Vier letzte Lieder at the MSO’s 2023 Season Opening Gala. “To perform these beautiful song cycles live with the MSO in front of a Melbourne audience was a genuine pleasure,” Stagg said. “I’m thrilled that the release of these concert recordings will allow music lovers from around the world the opportunity to hear such wonderful music performed by the brilliant MSO with Maestro Martín.”

The second live recording features Stagg and the MSO performing an arrangement by Australian composer Brett Dean of Debussy’s Ariettes oubliées (Forgotten Songs), which was premiered in July 2015 by the Australian World Orchestra (which commissioned the work).

MSO was only the sixth partner to join the LSO Live group of labels and joins LSO Live partners King’s College, Cambridge, percussionist Colin Currie, National Symphony Orchestra, Washington DC and the Cleveland Orchestra. Under the agreement, Martín will curate recordings for distribution with the LSO Live group and the digital recordings will be distributed through Amazon, Apple, Spotify and Presto Music.

Debussy & Strauss will be released on Friday 31 May 2024 on CD (Hybrid SACD) and via all major streaming and download services, and will be available in Spatial Audio on supporting platforms.