Hallé/Shields/Adams: John Adams festival review – dynamism that could generate electricity

Adams himself praised the orchestra for giving ‘one of the best performances I’ve ever heard’ of his Chamber Symphony, part of a four-concert feast of his luminous timbral combinations and expansive orchestral beauty

Dead Man Walking review – searing honesty and humanity in ENO’s staging of Heggie’s compelling opera

The first staging in the UK of Heggie and Terrence McNally’s adaptation of the memoir by Sister Helen Prejean is an anguished reflection on truth, compassion and capital punishment, sung with empathy and pathos

The Railway Children review – Turnage reimagines classic story in a lively family opera

Mark-Anthony Turnage and Rachael Hewer’s new 80s-set version of E Nesbit’s tale has a Le Carré meets the Famous Five vibe and boasts a strong cast, imaginative staging and a vivid, colour-filled score

Strauss, Dvořák and Glazunov album review – packs a dramatic punch

Jakub Hrůša’s absorbing treatment gives life to three late-19th-century works reflecting on the notion of heroism

Walton: Cello Concerto, Symphony No 1, Scapino album review – positively snaps, crackles and pops

Conductor John Wilson’s rumbustious reading and cellist Jonathan Aasgaard’s angst-ridden romantic sweep bring out the brooding tension and snarling climaxes

Anna von Hausswolff: Iconoclasts review – exhilarating, euphoric goth songcraft

The Swedish experimental musician pivots from drones to spectacular pop melodies, with guest spots from Iggy Pop and Ethel Cain

Julius Eastman: A Power Greater Than review – Davóne Tines celebrates the maverick musician

In a vivid concert celebrating the eclecticism of Eastman’s work, there was head-banging intensity, the spirt of Joan of Arc and a Lutheran battle hymn

Gli Incogniti/Beyer: Bach from Italy album review – fascinating collection sizzles and shines

Violinist Amandine Beyer and the musicians of Gli Incogniti juxtapose original works by Vivaldi and the Marcello brothers with the Bach compositions they inspired and influenced

Iberia album review – Hindoyan and the RLPO turn the heat up with Spanish colours and sunshine

There’s addictive Latin rhythms and perfectly judged musical adrenaline in Domingo Hindoyan and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic’s recording of these six French works with a Spanish theme

Apartment House review – an evening rich in discoveries, musical delicacies and magic

The new music ensemble was at the top of its game with seven premieres that included melancholy hymns from Linda Catlin Smith, Paul Paccione’s scrunchy modal harmonies and fragile beauty from Ramūnas Motiekaitis

LSO/Adès review – the mood-boosting musical equivalent of a Sad lamp

Thomas Adès curated and conducted a dazzling concert of contemporary works by Alex Paxton and Poul Ruders, plus his own Aquifer alongside a radiant Sibelius 3

BBC Phil/Seal: Bliss, Miracle in the Gorbals/Metamorphic Variations album review – much to enjoy

This is a fascinating chance to hear two contrasting pieces by the former master of the Queen’s music; the BBC Philharmonic unfurl the beauties of each work

Hugh Cutting: Refound album review – an idiosyncratic and profoundly satisfying collection

The Kathleen Ferrier award-winning countertenor’s debut recital album showcases his warm tone and effortless musical line – and his originality

Albert Herring review – ENO heralds new era with witty staging of Britten’s story of a mummy’s boy

English National Opera’s first shared production between London and Salford is a fluent and finely sung take on Britten’s 1947 comic opera. Antony McDonald’s lively staging gives the slender tale a sitcom feel

Mitsuko Uchida review – enthralling and exhilarating late Beethoven

The pianist’s performance of sonatas Opp 109, 110 and 111 was full of tender, intriguing details – the works together formed something greater than the sum of their parts