“Discovering Mahler’s music is akin to discovering life itself. Experiencing it, is to be drawn into his world and values. What emerges from his music, his letters and, the testimonies of those who knew him is the duality of this man. Being a creator and interpreter all at once, he invents the sounds which re-create the world of nature and humans.”- Semyon Bychkov

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The Czech Philharmonic and its Chief Conductor and Music Director Semyon Bychkov continue their acclaimed Mahler cycle with a Double Album of Mahler: Symphony No. 3, 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 Zarathustra 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.

Catriona Morison, Mezzo-Soprano (tracks 4 & 5)
Prague Philharmonic Choir (track 5)
Lukáš Vasilek, Choirmaster
Pueri Gaudentes (track 5)
Libor Sládek & Jan Kyjovský, Choirmasters

Czech Philharmonic
Jan Mráček, Concertmaster
Jan Perný, Trombone Solo (track 1)
Walter Hofbauer, Post Horn Solo (track 3)
Conducted by Semyon Bychkov