Mahler: Symphony No. 2 'Resurrection'

Listen on Presto Music. Free thirty day trial. Find out more.

There is superlative individual and collective quality in every orchestral department, with fine solo and choral singing to match. And the recording, made in the Dvořák Hall in Prague’s Rudolf... — BBC Music Magazine, June 2023, 3 out of 5 stars (Performance) / 4 out of 5 stars Recording) More…

Release Date: 21st Apr 2023
Catalogue No: PTC5186992
Label: Pentatone
Length: 86 minutes

Record Review

8th April 2023

Record of the Week
International Classical Music Awards

2024

Nominated - Symphonic Music

In stock

Usually despatched within 1 working day

Mahler: Symphony No. 2 'Resurrection'

Work length1:26:47

Album only

Elisabeth Kulman (mezzo-soprano), Christiane Karg (soprano)
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Prague Philharmonic Choir
Semyon Bychkov

I. Allegro maestoso. Mit durchaus ernstem und feierlichem Ausdruck

Track length23:15

Album only

II. Andante moderato. Sehr gemaechlich

Track length10:55

$1.60

$1.95

$2.40

III. In ruhig fliessender Bewegung

Track length11:10

$2.15

$2.60

$3.20

IV. "Urlicht". Sehr feierlich aber schlicht

Track length5:29

$1.05

$1.30

$1.60

Va. Im Tempo des Scherzos. Wild herausfahrend - Maestoso. Sehr zuruckhaltend

Track length20:47

Album only

Vb. "Aufersteh'n, ja aufersteh'n wirst du". Langsam, misterioso - "O glaube, mein Herz, o glaube". Etwas bewegter

Track length15:11

Album only

About
Reviews
Explore

About

PERSONAL CONTEMPLATION ON OVERCOMING DEATH

After critically-acclaimed recordings of Mahler’s Fourth and Fifth Symphony, the Czech Philharmonic and Semyon Bychkov continue their Pentatone Mahler cycle with a rendition of the composer’s Second, nicknamed “The Resurrection”. They are joined by soprano Christiane Karg, alto Elisabeth Kulman and the Prague Philharmonic Choir. Starting with a funeral march, passing through the introspective alto song “Urlicht” and ending in choral bliss and euphoria, Mahler’s Second is a deeply spiritual and personal contemplation on the secret of life and the possibility of overcoming death. For Bychkov, the symphony “shows the life cycle in all its struggles: suffering, joy, irony, humour, love and doubt.” The Czech Philharmonic is one of the world’s most acclaimed orchestras, with a rich tradition of performing Czech masters and music from Central Europe. Semyon Bychkov has led the greatest orchestras of the world, and is Chief Conductor and Music Director of the Czech Philharmonic as of the 2018/2019 season. Orchestra and maestro released recordings of Mahler’s Fourth and Fifth Symphony (both 2022) on Pentatone, kicking off a complete Mahler cycle. Elisabeth Kulman has participated on several Pentatone releases, while Christiane Karg makes her Pentatone debut.

Reviews

June 2023

There is superlative individual and collective quality in every orchestral department, with fine solo and choral singing to match. And the recording, made in the Dvořák Hall in Prague’s Rudolf inum, wonderfully conveys both the forensic detail of Mahler’s scoring and the surrounding acoustic space.

Nov/Dec 2023

Bychkov has a clear, unique vision of this symphony, and it’s one I largely find effective and illuminating. The orchestral sound is vibrant, and the ensemble is polished. The engineering captures a full dynamic range and a broad spectrum of nuance.

2nd April 2023

You marvel at the fresh depth and breadth that Bychkov and his players find within this towering work. The Russian-American conductor doesn’t labour over the funeral march, and in the shattering final movement he draws performances of exquisite balance, control and stillness. This is turning out to be one of the truly great Mahler sets.

Mahler: Symphony No. 2 'Resurrection'

CD

Downloads

Contents

Download queue