Mahler Symphonies 1–9 album review – Bychkov’s set earns a place in a starry pantheon

Czech Philharmonic/Bychkov

(Pentatone)

Semyon Bychkov’ Mahler symphony cycle with the Czech Philharmonic is meticulous, imaginative and deserves to be placed alongside the very best sets

S

emyon Bychkov’s Czech Philharmonic Mahler cycle has been appearing one symphony at a time since 2022. Curiously, Pentatone has decided to cut to the chase, releasing a box set, including the remaining four, all in one go. Previous results have been absorbing, the Fourth and Fifth especially notable, but the freshly released Six, Seven, Eight and Nine symphonies, reviewed here, earns the set a place in a starry pantheon.