Composer: Gustav Mahler
Performer: Catriona Morison, Prague Philharmonic Choir, Pueri Gaudentes
Orchestra: Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Semyon Bychkov
Number of Discs: 2
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Pentatone
Catalogue: PTC5187363
Release: 2025
Size: 1.59 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Symphony No. 3 in D Minor
CD 01
Part One
01. I. Kräftig. Entschieden
CD 02
Part Two
01. II. Tempo di minuetto. Sehr mässig
02. III. Comodo. Scherzando. Ohne Hast
03. IV. Sehr langsam. Misterioso. Durchaus leise
04. V. Lustig im Tempo und keck im Ausdruck
05. VI. Langsam. Ruhevoll. Empfunden
The Czech Philharmonic and its Chief Conductor and Music Director Semyon Bychkov continue their acclaimed Mahler cycle with the composer’s Third Symphony, working together with mezzo-soprano Catriona Morison, the Prague Philharmonic Choir and Pueri Gaudentes. In this monumental work, Mahler combines a text from Nietzsche’s Also sprach Zarat hust ra with the folk song inspirations of Des Knaben Wunderhorn, culminating in eternal bliss in the closing Adagio. To Bychkov, this longest Mahler symphony offers his ” least hysterical” music, and hearing it for the first time as a 10-year-old choirboy kindled his life-long fascination and love for this composer. With this recording, it comes full circle. The Czech Philharmonic – recently awarded Gramophone’s Orchestra of the Year Award – is one of the world’s orchestral gems, recognised for its rich tradition with the Czech masters as well as European repertoire. Together with their Chief Conductor and Music Director Semyon Bychkov, they have so far recorded for PENTATONE Mahler’s First, Second, Fourth and Fifth Symphonies (2022-2023), part of the complete Mahler cycle to be released by the label, as well as Smetana’s Ma vlast and Dvorak’s Seventh, Eighth and Ninth Symphonies (2024). The Orchestra is also featured on the albums Folk Songs (2023) and Czech Songs (2024) recorded by Magdalena Kozena and Sir Simon Rattle, as well as Dvorak Legends & Rhapsodies with Tomas Netopil.
