Brilliant Classics have celebrated the 150th Anniversary of Reger’s birth last year by expanding their Reger Collection of a decade ago from 11 to 18 CDs.
Added to the original set, which presented Reger’s best known works – the glorious orchestral Böcklin Suite, the Mozart, Beethoven and Hiller Variations, the mighty piano and violin concertos, the beautiful clari- net quintet (not in the least inferior to Brahms’ masterpiece), the complete Chorale Fantasias for organ (Reger, an organist himself, wrote extensively and superbly for his instrument) and a fine selection of choral music– is a new set of chamber music including the Piano Trio, Flute-Violin-Viola Serenades, Clarinet-, Piano Sonatas and other works, and Reger’s compostitions for solo viola and for solo cello.
The transparency of the chamber music genre particularly highlights the composer’s absolute mastery of counterpoint.
Also new is an expanded keyboard section, with more works for the organ, so associated with Reger, including the Sonatas and Fantasy- Fugues, and a new solo piano CD recorded in 2023 by Eden Walker featuring Dreams by the Fireside and the Bach Variations and Fugue.
Other information:
Recordings date from 1973–2023
Booklet in English contains new liner notes by Peter Quantrill
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 compo- sitions: 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 (Böcklin 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, Träume 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.
Max Reger: A Ballet Suite, Op. 130: I. Entrée: Tempo di marcia
Max Reger: A Ballet Suite, Op. 130: II. Colombine: Adagietto (molto tranquillo)
Max Reger: A Ballet Suite, Op. 130: III. Harlequin: Vivace
Max Reger: A Ballet Suite, Op. 130: IV. Pierrot und Pierrette: Larghetto
Max Reger: A Ballet Suite, Op. 130: V. Valse d’amour: Sostenuto – Tempo di valse
Max Reger: A Ballet Suite, Op. 130: VI. Finale: Presto
Max Reger: Concerto in the Old Style, Op. 123: I. Allegro con spirito
Max Reger: Concerto in the Old Style, Op. 123: II. Largo
Max Reger: Concerto in the Old Style, Op. 123: III. Allegro
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Beethoven, Op. 86 (arr. for orchestra): Andante
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Beethoven, Op. 86 (arr. for orchestra): I. Variation 1. Un poco più lento
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Beethoven, Op. 86 (arr. for orchestra): II. Variation 2. Appassionato
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Beethoven, Op. 86 (arr. for orchestra): III. Variation 3. Andantino grazioso
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Beethoven, Op. 86 (arr. for orchestra): IV. Variation 4. Vivace
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Beethoven, Op. 86 (arr. for orchestra): V. Variation 5. Andante sostenuto
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Beethoven, Op. 86 (arr. for orchestra): VI. Variation 6. Allegretto con grazia
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Beethoven, Op. 86 (arr. for orchestra): VII. Variation 7. Poco vivace
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Beethoven, Op. 86 (arr. for orchestra): VIII. Variation 8. Allegro pomposo
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Beethoven, Op. 86 (arr. for orchestra): IX. Fugue. Con spirito (non troppo allegro)
Disk 2
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of J.A. Hiller, Op. 100: I. Theme. Andante grazioso
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of J.A. Hiller, Op. 100: II. Variation 1. Più andante
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of J.A. Hiller, Op. 100: III. Variation 2. Allegretto con grazia – Meno allegretto – Andante sostenuto – Largo
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of J.A. Hiller, Op. 100: IV. Variation 3. Vivace
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of J.A. Hiller, Op. 100: V. Variation 4. Poco vivace
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of J.A. Hiller, Op. 100: VI. Variation 5. Andante sostenuto –Quasi più andante – Tempo primo – Più lento
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of J.A. Hiller, Op. 100: VII. Variation 6. Tempo di minuetto – Meno mosso – Tempo primo
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of J.A. Hiller, Op. 100: VIII. Variation 7. Presto
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of J.A. Hiller, Op. 100: IX. Variation 8. Andante con moto
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of J.A. Hiller, Op. 100: X. Variation 9: Allegro con spirito – Poco meno mosso – Tempo primo
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of J.A. Hiller, Op. 100: XI. Variation 10. Allegro appassionato
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of J.A. Hiller, Op. 100: XII. Variation 11. Andante con moto – Più lento – Largo – Più largo
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of J.A. Hiller, Op. 100: Fugue. Allegro moderato – Meno mosso – Tempo primo –Quasi largo – Più largo
Disk 3
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Mozart, Op. 132: I. Andante grazioso
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Mozart, Op. 132: II. Variation 1. L’istesse tempo
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Mozart, Op. 132: III. Variation 2. Poco agitato
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Mozart, Op. 132: IV. Variation 3. Con moto
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Mozart, Op. 132: V. Variation 4. Vivace
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Mozart, Op. 132: VI. Variation 5. Quasi presto
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Mozart, Op. 132: VII. Variation 6. Sostenuto
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Mozart, Op. 132: VIII. Variation 7. Andante grazioso
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Mozart, Op. 132: IX. Variation 8. Molto sostenuto
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Mozart, Op. 132: Fugue. Allegretto grazioso
Max Reger: Four Tone Poems after Arnold Böcklin, Op. 128: I. The hermit playing the violin. Molto sostenuto
Max Reger: Four Tone Poems after Arnold Böcklin, Op. 128: II. The play of the waves. Vivace
Max Reger: Four Tone Poems after Arnold Böcklin, Op. 128: III. The Isle of the Dead. Molto sostenuto (doch nie schleppend)
Max Reger: Four Tone Poems after Arnold Böcklin, Op. 128: IV. Bacchanal. Vivace
Disk 4
Max Reger: Sinfonietta, Op. 90: I. Allegro moderato (quasi allegretto) –
Max Reger: Sinfonietta, Op. 90: II. Scherzo: Allegro vivace – Trio. Moderato
Max Reger: Sinfonietta, Op. 90: III. Larghetto
Max Reger: Sinfonietta, Op. 90: IV. Allegro con spirito – Più allegro
Max Reger: To Hope, Op. 124
Max Reger: Hymn of Love, Op. 136
Disk 5
Max Reger: Violin Concerto, Op. 101: I. Allegro moderato
Max Reger: Violin Concerto, Op. 101: II. Largo con gran espressione –
Max Reger: Violin Concerto, Op. 101: III. Allegro moderato (ma con spirito)
Disk 6
Max Reger: Piano Concerto, Op. 114: I. Allegro moderato
Max Reger: Piano Concerto, Op. 114: II. Largo con gran espressione –
Max Reger: Piano Concerto, Op. 114: III. Allegro con spirito
Disk 7
Max Reger: Symphonic Prologue to a Tragedy, Op. 108 (short version): Grave – Allegro agitato – Andante sostenuto – Largo
Max Reger: A romantic suite, Op. 125: I. Notturno: Molto sostenuto
Max Reger: A romantic suite, Op. 125: II. Scherzo: Vivace
Max Reger: A romantic suite, Op. 125: III. Finale: Molto sostenuto
Disk 8
Max Reger: String Trio in A Minor, Op. 77b: I. Sostenuto – Allegro agitato
Max Reger: String Trio in A Minor, Op. 77b: II. Larghetto
Max Reger: String Trio in A Minor, Op. 77b: III. Scherzo: Vivace
Max Reger: String Trio in A Minor, Op. 77b: IV. Allegro con moto
Max Reger: Clarinet Quintet, Op. 146: I. Moderato ed amabile
Max Reger: Clarinet Quintet, Op. 146: II. Vivace
Max Reger: Clarinet Quintet, Op. 146: III. Largo
Max Reger: Clarinet Quintet, Op. 146: IV. Poco allegretto
Disk 9
Max Reger: Piano Trio No. 2, Op. 102: I. Allegro moderato, ma con passione
Max Reger: Piano Trio No. 2, Op. 102: II. Allegretto
Max Reger: Piano Trio No. 2, Op. 102: III. Largo
Max Reger: Piano Trio No. 2, Op. 102: IV. Allegro con moto
Max Reger: Serenade, Op. 77a: I. Allegro
Max Reger: Serenade, Op. 77a: II. Andante semplice con variazioni
Max Reger: Serenade, Op. 77a: III. Presto
Max Reger: Serenade, Op. 141a: I. Vivace
Max Reger: Serenade, Op. 141a: II. Larghetto
Max Reger: Serenade, Op. 141a: III. Presto
Disk 10
Max Reger: Clarinet Sonata No. 1 in A-Flat Major, Op. 49: I. Allegro affanato
Max Reger: Clarinet Sonata No. 1 in A-Flat Major, Op. 49: II. Vivace
Max Reger: Clarinet Sonata No. 1 in A-Flat Major, Op. 49: III. Larghetto
Max Reger: Clarinet Sonata No. 1 in A-Flat Major, Op. 49: IV. Prestissimo assai
Max Reger: Clarinet Sonata No. 2 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 49: I. Allegro dolente
Max Reger: Clarinet Sonata No. 2 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 49: II. Vivacissimo
Max Reger: Clarinet Sonata No. 2 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 49: III. Larghetto
Max Reger: Clarinet Sonata No. 2 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 49: IV. Allegro affabile
Max Reger: Clarinet Sonata No. 3 in B-Flat Major, Op. 107: I. Moderato
Max Reger: Clarinet Sonata No. 3 in B-Flat Major, Op. 107: II. Vivace – Adagio – Vivace
Max Reger: Clarinet Sonata No. 3 in B-Flat Major, Op. 107: III. Adagio
Max Reger: Clarinet Sonata No. 3 in B-Flat Major, Op. 107: IV. Allegretto con grazia (Vivace)
Max Reger: Albumblatt in E-Flat Major, WoO II/13: I. Andante con moto
Max Reger: Tarantella in G minor: I. Äußerst lebhaft
Disk 11
Max Reger: Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, Op. 131c: I. Präludium
Max Reger: Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, Op. 131c: II. Adagio
Max Reger: Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, Op. 131c: III. Fuga
Max Reger: Cello Suite No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 131c: I. Präludium
Max Reger: Cello Suite No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 131c: II. Gavotte
Max Reger: Cello Suite No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 131c: III. Largo
Max Reger: Cello Suite No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 131c: IV. Gigue
Max Reger: Cello Suite No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 131c: I. Präludium
Max Reger: Cello Suite No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 131c: II. Scherzo
Max Reger: Cello Suite No. 3 in A Minor, Op. 131c: III. Andante con variazioni
Disk 12
Max Reger: Suite No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 131d: I. Molto sostenuto
Max Reger: Suite No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 131d: II. Vivace
Max Reger: Suite No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 131d: III. Andante sostenuto
Max Reger: Suite No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 131d: IV. Molto vivace
Max Reger: Suite No. 2 in D Major, Op. 131d: I. Con moto (non troppo vivace)
Max Reger: Suite No. 2 in D Major, Op. 131d: II. Andante
Max Reger: Suite No. 2 in D Major, Op. 131d: III. Allegretto
Max Reger: Suite No. 2 in D Major, Op. 131d: IV. Vivace
Max Reger: Suite No. 3 in E Minor, Op. 131d: I. Moderato
Max Reger: Suite No. 3 in E Minor, Op. 131d: II. Vivace
Max Reger: Suite No. 3 in E Minor, Op. 131d: III. Adagio
Max Reger: Suite No. 3 in E Minor, Op. 131d: IV. Allegro vivace
Henri Vieuxtemps: Capriccio Op .55 (No. 9 Op.posth) – Hommage à Paganini
Krzysztof Penderecki: Cadenza per viola sola
Benjamin Britten: Elegy
Igor Stravinsky: Élégie, K072
Disk 13
Max Reger: Chorale Fantasia, Op. 27: Ein’ feste Burg ist unser Gott
Max Reger: Chorale Fantasia, Op. 30: Freu’ dich sehr, o meine Seele
Max Reger: Chorale Fantasias, Op. 40: Wie schön leucht’t uns der Morgenstern
Max Reger: Chorale Fantasias, Op. 40: Straf’ mich nicht in deinem Zorn
Disk 14
Max Reger: Chorale Fantasias, Op. 52: Alle Menschen müssen sterben
Max Reger: Chorale Fantasias, Op. 52: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme
Max Reger: Chorale Fantasias, Op. 52: Halleluja! Gott zu loben, bleibe meine Seelenfreud
Disk 15
Max Reger: Fantasy and Fugue on B-A-C-H in B-Flat Minor, Op. 46: I. Fantasy
Max Reger: Fantasy and Fugue on B-A-C-H in B-Flat Minor, Op. 46: II. Fugue
Max Reger: Organ Sonata No. 1 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 33: I. Fantasy
Max Reger: Organ Sonata No. 1 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 33: II. Intermezzo
Max Reger: Organ Sonata No. 1 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 33: III. Passacaglia
Max Reger: Organ Sonata No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 60: I. Improvisation
Max Reger: Organ Sonata No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 60: II. Invocation
Max Reger: Organ Sonata No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 60: III. Introduction
Max Reger: Organ Sonata No. 2 in D Minor, Op. 60: IV. Fugue
Disk 16
Max Reger: Symphonische Fantasie und Fuge in D Minor, Op. 57 ‘Inferno Fantasie’: I. Fantasie
Max Reger: Symphonische Fantasie und Fuge in D Minor, Op. 57 ‘Inferno Fantasie’: II. Fuge
Max Reger: Fantasie und Fuge in D Minor, Op. 135b: I. Fantasie
Max Reger: Fantasie und Fuge in D Minor, Op. 135b: II. Fuge
Max Reger: Introduktion, Passacaglia und Fuge in E Minor, Op. 127: I. Introduktion
Max Reger: Introduktion, Passacaglia und Fuge in E Minor, Op. 127: II. Passacaglia
Max Reger: Introduktion, Passacaglia und Fuge in E Minor, Op. 127: III. Fuge
Disk 17
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Bach, Op. 81: I. Thema. Andante (quasi adagio)
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Bach, Op. 81: II. Variation I. L’istesso tempo
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Bach, Op. 81: III. Variation II. (sempre espressivo ed assai legato)
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Bach, Op. 81: IV. Variation III. Grave assai
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Bach, Op. 81: V. Variation IV. Vivace
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Bach, Op. 81: VI. Variation V. Vivace
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Bach, Op. 81: VII. Variation VI. Allegro moderato
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Bach, Op. 81: VIII. Variation VII. Adagio
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Bach, Op. 81: IX. Variation VIII. Vivace
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Bach, Op. 81: X. Variation IX. Grave e sempre molto espressivo
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Bach, Op. 81: XI. Variation X. Poco vivace
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Bach, Op. 81: XII. Variation XI. Allegro agitato
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Bach, Op. 81: XIII. Variation XII. Andante sostenuto
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Bach, Op. 81: XIV. Variation XIII. Vivace
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Bach, Op. 81: XV. Variation XIV. Con moto
Max Reger: Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Bach, Op. 81: XVI. Fugue – Sostenuto –Più moto – Adagio
Max Reger: Träume am Kamin, Op. 143: I. Larghetto in B-Flat Major
Max Reger: Träume am Kamin, Op. 143: II. Con moto in E-Flat Major – Andante
Max Reger: Träume am Kamin, Op. 143: III. Molto adagio in A Major
Max Reger: Träume am Kamin, Op. 143: IV. Allegretto grazioso in E major – Andante – Tempo primo
Max Reger: Träume am Kamin, Op. 143: V. Agitato in B Minor
Max Reger: Träume am Kamin, Op. 143: VI. Poco vivace in A-Flat Major – Molto sostenuto – Tempo primo – Andante
Max Reger: Träume am Kamin, Op. 143: VII. Molto sostenuto in D Major
Max Reger: Träume am Kamin, Op. 143: VIII. Vivace (Etüde) in C Major
Max Reger: Träume am Kamin, Op. 143: IX. Larghetto in E-Flat Major
Max Reger: Träume am Kamin, Op. 143: X. Vivace (Humoreske) in D Minor – Meno mosso – Vivace – Un poco meno mosso – Adagio
Max Reger: Träume am Kamin, Op. 143: XI. Andantino in G Minor
Max Reger: Träume am Kamin, Op. 143: XII. Larghetto in D Major (Studie)
Disk 18
Max Reger: 8 Sacred Songs, Op. 138, for 4–8 Mixed Voices: No. 1: Der Mensch lebt und bestehet nur eine kleine Zeit
Max Reger: 8 Sacred Songs, Op. 138, for 4–8 Mixed Voices: No. 2: Morgengesang (Du höchstes Licht)
Max Reger: 8 Sacred Songs, Op. 138, for 4–8 Mixed Voices: No. 3: Nachtlied (Die Nacht ist kommen)
Max Reger: 8 Sacred Songs, Op. 138, for 4–8 Mixed Voices: No. 4: Unser lieben Frauen Traum
Max Reger: Sacred Songs, Op. 110, 5-part Motets for A Capella Choir: No. 1: Mein Odem is nicht schwach
Max Reger: Sacred Songs, Op. 110, 5-part Motets for A Capella Choir: No. 2: Ach, Herr, strafe mich nicht
Max Reger: Sacred Songs, Op. 110, 5-part Motets for A Capella Choir: No. 3: O Tod, wie bitter bist du