Mahler: Symphony No. 2

Conductor Semyon Bychkov and the Czech Philharmonic continue their Mahler cycle with the mighty “Resurrection” Symphony, a huge step-up from the bucolic First. The results are as thought-provoking as his recordings of Nos 4 and 5. This is not a performance that emphasises the torrential power of Mahler’s score. Instead, it focuses on the delicacy and exquisite colours of the orchestration, and in the Czech Philharmonic Bychkov has an ensemble of huge style and personality—the oboe playing, for example, is breathtaking. The Prague choir’s poised entry is a gorgeous moment, and the two soloists beautifully match the overall conception. A soft-grained, but utterly fulfilling account of the score.