Philipp von Steinaecker wins Edison for Mahler

Philipp von Steinaecker's recording of Mahler's Ninth Symphony with Mahler Academy Orchestra, performed on original instruments, has won this year's Edison Klassiek award in the orchestral category.

The citation read: 'Conductor Philipp von Steinaecker and the Mahler Academy Orchestra perform Mahler's Ninth Symphony on historical instruments. Their starting point: the playing style from the time of the composer. The resulting sound is a revelation. The orchestral parts are perfectly balanced, and details that often go unnoticed emerge clearly. The listener hears an earthy, robust, and spontaneous whole, full of surprising turns and seductive glissandos. The passion with which Von Steinaecker searches for the authentic sound – and audibly inspires his musicians – is infectious. This release is a valuable addition to the rich discography of Mahler's Ninth Symphony.'

Von Steinaecker's Mahler has won praise and five-star reviews since it came out in June 2024. Rondo described a 'spectacular, sensual sound that builds a bridge between the present and the past,' and Radio Kraków Kultura, 'A real pearl of historical performance, which is not colourless archeology, but a manifestation of the fullness of life'.

In an interview about the project for the Maestro Arts website, von Steinaecker explained the purpose and effect of using original instruments: 'The original musicians struggled with his parts but that's what he wanted. Of course, the musicians didn't enjoy that, because they felt embarrassed on stage, so they would go to instrument makers and say, ‘Can you make me a new key so I can play this more easily?’ A hundred years later, nobody really struggles technically with this music any more. With modern instruments it's all too comfortable.'