Review of Semyon Bychkov – Mahler: Symphony No. 1

There is certainly no shortage of recordings of Gustav Mahler’s symphonies, and the First in particular is already available in many fine recordings. However, there are reasons, especially for fans of Mahler’s music, to engage with this version by the Czech Philharmonic, recorded at the Rudolfinum in Prague. On the one hand, this is due to the great recording quality. Such a visceral representation of the score, where every instrument can be heard at the same time without the entire movement appearing spliced, is a rarity in the catalogue. Above all, Semyon Peshkov is a Mahler conductor of the first order, allowing the extremes of this music, its primal power and excess, but also its world-weariness and tragedy to be exercised without reservation, while always maintaining its dramaturgy. The movement as a whole is taken into account. The Czech Orchestra proves itself to be a leading orchestra in all aspects.

Mahler: Symphony No. 1 in D major “Titan”

Czech Philharmonic, Simeon Bychkov (conductor)
Pentacles

Czech Philharmonic Orchestra

A typical feature of an orchestra is its soft sound. Almost all recordings of reference music by Czech composers have been made with the Czech Philharmonic. Since its founding, the Philharmonic has worked with important artists. So Antonin Dvorjak continued to act