There are some truly ambitious albums amongst our pick of May’s finest classical releases. The Vienna Philharmonic delivers a blistering Mahler Symphony No. 5 under conductor Andris Nelsons, while soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan places contemporary American society in an excoriating spotlight. There’s Elgar’s longest concerto in a detailed yet passionate account featuring violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann, and Jakub Hrůša guides us through all six of Martinů’s kaleidoscopic symphonies with the Bamberg Symphony. But for the ultimate ride, dive into a brand-new performance of Wagner’s epic four-opera Ring courtesy of the Dallas Symphony, a thrilling line-up of soloists, all helmed by electrifying conductor Fabio Luisi.