Reger Collection

Description

Max Reger (1873-1916) was a prolific German composer, pianist, conductor, and teacher. His work spans the late Romantic and early Modern periods, characterized by complex counterpoint and rich harmonic language, deeply influenced by Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Johannes Brahms. Reger's early musical education began with piano and organ lessons from his mother, and he later studied under Adalbert Lindner. His formal training took him to the conservatories in Sondershausen, where he studied with Hugo Riemann, and Wiesbaden (continuous studies with Hugo Rieman as well as with Albert Fuchs). Hugo Riemann in particular had a significant influence on Reger's theoretical and compositional development. His early compositions, primarily for piano and organ, demonstrated his affinity for Bach's counterpoint, which would become a hallmark of his style. In 1907, Reger was appointed as a professor at the Leipzig Conservatory, where he influenced a generation of musicians and composers. His output includes a vast array of compositions: over 1,000 works encompassing organ pieces, piano music, chamber works, symphonies, choral works, and lieder. His organ compositions are particularly renowned for their technical demands and profound musical depth. This comprehensive collection includes Reger's orchestral works (Bocklin Suite, Variations on themes by Beethoven, Hiller and Mozart, violin concerto, piano concerto), organ works (the great Chorale Fantasias and Sonatas), chamber music (Clarinet Quintet, Piano Trio, Clarinet Sonatas, suites for viola and cello), piano music (Bach Variations, Traume am Kamin) and choral music. Performed by excellent performers: Staatskapelle Dresden, Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Leipzig, Rundfunkchor Berlin, organists Roberto Marini and Adriano Falcioni and many others.