Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 5 [Hybrid SACD]

Water Lily Acoustics is proud to present the legendary orchestras of St. Petersburg, Russia, in live concert recordings which capture the excitement and sense of occasion of attending a live performance as no studio recording can. The philosophical and technical ethos of the Water Lily approach to recording is, here, perhaps for the first time, given free rein to produce a musical experience unparalleled in its realism and impact. Forged from the precious metals of the opulent age of the Czars, and tempered in the crucible of Communism, the orchestras of the former Soviet Union occupy a position in world culture that is truly unique. It is a privilege to be the first American record company to have captured the essence of these great orchestras in their native city.

A century after they were written, Mahler’s symphonies remain among the most challenging works in the symphonic repertoire, demanding the highest level of orchestral virtuosity and the utmost interpretive insight from the conductor. Mahler’s spectacular orchestration presents a sonic palette of the utmost diversity, and a range of dynamic - from whispering solos to apocalyptic climaxes - certain to immerse the listener completely in his unique sound-world. Astonishingly, this recording marks the first time that any of Maestro Temirkanov’s critically and publicly lauded Mahler interpretations with the St Petersburg Philharmonic has been available in recorded form. Now, finally, audiences the world over have an opportunity to experience this extraordinary music in the hands of one of its greatest living interpreters.