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This has quickly become my favorite performance of Mahler’s Second Symphony, nicknamed “The Resurrection.” It is a massive work for full orchestra, chorus, and alto soloist. At nearly an hour and a half in length, it is demanding of your commitment as a listener. But it rewards! It rewards throughout!

If you are not a fan of Mahler, this is the symphony that might win you over. It is filled with brilliant themes, great lyricism, tremendous orchestral color. Symon Bychkov’s pacing is just perfect for my taste – he never loses the overall thread of the music, maintaining tension across the entire magnificent arch of the piece.

One can certainly pick nits here and there (does the end of the first movement have enough ferocity? does alto Chistiane Karg have enough gravitas to fully deliver the critical “Urlicht” movement? (she does, in my opinion), does Bychov over-manage the sound of each of the instrument sections that the big picture of the first movement loses out?). My overall answer to these nits is, get over it. This is a great performance with tremendous power, great emotional range, and exceptional beauty.

The Czech Philharmonic is unarguably among the great orchestras performing today, and their performance for Bychkov here is magnificent. Both alto Christiane Karg and soprano Elisabeth Kulman deliver spine tingling performances.

And the sound quality from the Pentatone recording team is superb. The sound will blow your hair back and knock off your socks. Now I need to listen to Bychkov’s earlier recordings of Mahler’s Symphonies Nos. 4 and 5. A friend told me they are terrific.

Rushton Paul - Source