Max Reger(1873-1916)

[Jo498]

The Berlin Classics are different recordings from the Koch, re-issued by DG. The Berlin Classics were East German recordings with conductors like Konwitschny and Bongartz. Not quite sure but I think they are by far the most comprehensive "sets" of Reger's orchestral music. There are a bunch of recordings with Järvi, some older ones with Keilberth and maybe a few more of the better known pieces. There was also an interesting historical Twofer with Scherchen and a German Radio orchestra.
From the Koch series I have discs 2, 5, 8 and 9 and 2 from the Berlin Classics series.

The main pieces you miss are on disc 2, the Romantic Suite and the Böcklin suite (incl. an Isle of the Dead). The Hiller variations are also a major piece, even larger scale than the other ones; the "Sinfonietta" and "Serenade" are also big (40-50 min) pieces, certainly of symphonic dimensions.

As JBS said, the main chamber piece you are missing, is the Sextet. There are also piano quartets, string trios (2 each or so), pieces for violin solo I have not heard all of this but I think you have the main pieces already. My favorites are probably the clarinet quintet and the last two string quartets (the earlier string quartets suffer from overdensity) and the 3 cello solo suites.

The Hamelin disc is probably sufficient for Reger on piano... (I have this one and these variations once again from Markus Becker's series with different fillers I don't remember) Unfortunately, two of the most prominent Reger advocates, Rudolf and Peter Serkin recorded very little Reger. If you find the piano concerto with Peter somewhere on the internet (AFAIK there are no official recordings but good quality radio broadcasts), grab it.

[André]

Since you're not looking for a set, and some of this is stuff you're not looking for, I won't say get this set, but get whatever orchestral stuff you don't already have that's listed here.

I have the older 7 CD Berlin Classics set--almost all the same recordings are here, originally issued on Koch. I don't know what alternative recordings may exist.

I see you have the Droic SQ on DG; IIRC that has the String Quartets. If it doesn't, I'd suggest the CPO recording.

The Sextet is worth getting even if you have to get another recording of the Clarinet Quintet.

Some of Reger's most extraordinary music is his late vocal-orchestral works, found on the last discs of the above set. There's also this disc that is beyond words:



Reissued on a mid-price 2-disc set (with Wolff orchestral songs):

[JBS]

In reply to Jo498

You're right...don't know why I thought they were the same.
But that means I'll be getting this DG set, since I have almost none of the vocal or choral works.

The Scherchen recordings were reissued by CPO


Andre I'll look for the DFD. Thanks.

[SonicMan46]

Since you're not looking for a set, and some of this is stuff you're not looking for, I won't say get this set, but get whatever orchestral stuff you don't already have that's listed here.

I have the older 7 CD Berlin Classics set--almost all the same recordings are here, originally issued on Koch. I don't know what alternative recordings may exist.

I see you have the Droic SQ on DG; IIRC that has the String Quartets. If it doesn't, I'd suggest the CPO recording.

The Sextet is worth getting even if you have to get another recording of the Clarinet Quintet.

The Berlin Classics are different recordings from the Koch, re-issued by CD. The Berlin Classics were East German recordings with conductors like Konwitschny and Bongartz. Not quite sure but I think they are by far the most comprehensive "sets" of Reger's orchestral music. There are a bunch of recordings with Järvi, some older ones with Keilberth and maybe a few more of the better known pieces. There was also an interesting historical Twofer with Scherchen and a German Radio orchestra.
From the Koch series I have discs 2, 5, 8 and 9 and 2 from the Berlin Classics series.

The main pieces you miss are on disc 2, the Romantic Suite and the Böcklin suite (incl. an Isle of the Dead). The Hiller variations are also a major piece, even larger scale than the other ones; the "Sinfonietta" and "Serenade" are also big (40-50 min) pieces, certainly of symphonic dimensions.

As JBS said, the main chamber piece you are missing, is the Sextet. There are also piano quartets, string trios (2 each or so), pieces for violin solo I have not heard all of this but I think you have the main pieces already. My favorites are probably the clarinet quintet and the last two string quartets (the earlier string quartets suffer from overdensity) and the 3 cello solo suites.

The Hamelin disc is probably sufficient for Reger on piano... (I have this one and these variations once again from Markus Becker's series with different fillers I don't remember) Unfortunately, two of the most prominent Reger advocates, Rudolf and Peter Serkin recorded very little Reger. If you find the piano concerto with Peter somewhere on the internet (AFAIK there are no official recordings but good quality radio broadcasts), grab it.

Thanks JBS and Jo498 for your excellent comments - unfortunately the pickings are slim and pricey on Amazon USA - I already own about a half dozen of the orchestral works, including the Hiller & Mozart Variations, Violin & Piano Concertos, and a few more - not much to find on single/double discs; as to the Sextet, as stated usually matched w/ the Clarinet Quintet and the 'used' CDs are not cheap - HOWEVER, I did find and ordered the recording below of the String Trios/Piano Quartet - the reviews are excellent (attached for those interested) but still a little pricey - may have to do a DL for the Sextet?  Thanks again for suggestions - Dave

[Jo498]

It's a bit unpredictable what's easy to find and what not. Naxos has two very good recordings of the clarinet quintet but no sextet.

[asin]B07W7GVXJ8[/asin] [asin]B001BLR7F8[/asin]

My recording of the sextet is Wiener Streichsextett on EMI that's probably oop.
I remember that I had several discs from the Koch series on my used watchlist but they were too expensive for my taste; then the box came out and some older singles could be found cheaply.
Similarly with Berlin Classics, although they are more often cheaply findable.

The Böcklin suite has been recorded frequently: besides the Koch and Berlin Classics I find Järvi/Chandos, Weigle/Capriccio, Zender/SWR, Segerstam/BIS and a very recent one on Naxos (Ira Levin, but I'd be surprised if that Brandenburg orchestra was up with the major German orchestras, it has an arrangement for orchestra of the Bach variations (originally 4 hand piano, I think).
It's probably the closest Reger ever got to picturesque late romanticism, instead of Über-Bach or Über-Brahms complexities...

[amw]

I think the best of the Sextet recordings may be the one on CPO but I don't recall what it's coupled with or who's playing.

I personally love the Serenade, Sinfonietta and Violin Concerto, all of which are very long, predominantly slowish and nauseatingly chromatic, the exact kind of music most people hate about Reger. Something about his densely layered orchestration does appeal to me quite a bit. I do like most of the piano pieces, but the two big sets of variations are the most significant works (with that said i also wouldn't want to be without the four piano sonatinas and the "Aus meine Tagebuch" (sp.) collection of 40-something short pieces, some of which were later used as the basis for chamber music and organ pieces). Of the string music: last three string quartets, the two string trios, the early trio for violin, viola and piano, and most of the violin and cello sonatas are all worthwhile; I've never entirely gotten into the piano quartets or quintet. The clarinet quintet deserves its relatively large number of recordings, of which Sharon Kam's on Berlin Classics is probably the best.

I have two complete sets of the organ works but have never done a deep dive and can't really get past my dislike for the sound of the organ as an instrument, in any repertoire. Maybe someday.

[JBS]

The CPO recording is coupled with the Clarinet Quintet.


There are only 2 recordings of the Sextet on Amazon that I see, which are not coupled with the Clarinet Quintet.

On that one, there's only the Sextet.

The performers are totally unknown to me.

[Jo498]

I think the Jecklin is a highly regarded recording.
I don't know anything about the "Da camera magna" This is from the "Bayer music group" and they apparently recorded all of Reger's chamber music in the 1970s, with today mostly unknown musicians (an exceptions is Klöcker for the clarinet sonatas), I suspect these were mostly "local" South German musicians. There is a "Keller quartett" that is not identical with the later hungarian ensemble and some Friedrich Wührer who is apparently a violin player, not the pianist etc. Some might also be pseudonyms, not sure. I haven't heard any of them and have never heard anything good about them.
The other fairly comprehensive chamber music effort is by MDG, mostly with the Mannheim string quartet. The sextet is with Villa Musica, though, again with the clarinet quintet. But I think MDG mostly has ensemble music, no solo or duo sonatas.

[Herman]

I really like the two string trios. I don't know why but the Sextet never clicked with me. I've got three recordings but I never managed to make it to the end.
There is also a big piano trio, op 102, if memory serves. I like that one.
I like the viola solo suites.

In orchestral I'm with the two big variation suites, the Mozart Vars and Hiller Vars. Extraordinary music.

[Herman]

As to the 'Maximum Reger' documentary... I looked at some material on youtube and passed.

[MusicTurner]

I think the Jecklin is a highly regarded recording.
I don't know anything about the "Da camera magna" This is from the "Bayer music group" and they apparently recorded all of Reger's chamber music in the 1970s, with today mostly unknown musicians (an exceptions is Klöcker for the clarinet sonatas), I suspect these were mostly "local" South German musicians. There is a "Keller quartett" that is not identical with the later hungarian ensemble and some Friedrich Wührer who is apparently a violin player, not the pianist etc. Some might also be pseudonyms, not sure. I haven't heard any of them and have never heard anything good about them.
The other fairly comprehensive chamber music effort is by MDG, mostly with the Mannheim string quartet. The sextet is with Villa Musica, though, again with the clarinet quintet. But I think MDG mostly has ensemble music, no solo or duo sonatas.

I think the DaCamera series didn't have a very good sound, though a digital version (??) has maybe improved it; newer versions are probably preferable.

In the old days of the LP Vox Boxes series, a set of 'Reger complete chamber music' was begun, but it never really took off, except for a few LPs - as far as I remember 2x 3LPs.

I've improved my Reger collection a good deal in recent years; the next step for me would probably be a recording of the complete organ music; I've only got a few of the organ pieces, but for example, a work like 'Inferno Phantasie" (="Symphonic Fantasia & Fugue op.57") sounds intriguing ... I missed the option, when JPC had cheap offers recently.

German source regarding the Inferno Fantasy:
https://franzlehrndorfer.de/max-reger/

[prémont]

There is a "Keller quartett" that is not identical with the later hungarian ensemble and some Friedrich Wührer who is apparently a violin player, not the pianist etc. Some might also be pseudonyms, not sure. I haven't heard any of them and have never heard anything good about them.

Friedrich Wührer the violinist was the son of Friedrich Wührer the pianist. The violinist FW worked mostly in Hamburg being for some time the leader of the Hamburg Chamber Orchestra. He participated in a number of baroque music recordings e.g. Karl Richters first set of Brandenburgs for Teldec. He died the year 2000. Most of the credited musicians from DaCamera's Reger set were well known orchestral and chamber orchestral musicians and actually I have more recordings of baroque music made by many of these musicians. i don't think there are any pseudonymes among them.

https://www.discogs.com/artist/3695385-Friedrich-W%C3%BChrer-2?filter_anv=0&subtype=Instruments-Performance&type=Credits

https://www.discogs.com/artist/2434501-Das-Keller-Quartett

[SonicMan46]

Well did some more searching and PrestoMusic had the 2 recordings below for a total of $20 USD (of course plus shipping 'across the pond' - added some other CDs to make the plane fare seem reasonable -  ) - this may be enough for me; the orchestral works owned suffice and no interest in his vocal or organ music.  Again, thanks for all of the comments and suggestions.  Dave

 

[LKB]

It's not easy to find, but there's a recording of Martin Haselboeck performing some of Reger's organ music on the Preiser label. It came out in the late '70's on LP, and l think it saw a limited release on CD as well. Very impressive playing and decent analog sound, and it ranks as my favorite recording of this composer. 

[prémont]

It's not easy to find, but there's a recording of Martin Haselboeck performing some of Reger's organ music on the Preiser label. It came out in the late '70's on LP, and l think it saw a limited release on CD as well. Very impressive playing and decent analog sound, and it ranks as my favorite recording of this composer.

Yes, 1977. He had barely turned 23 years by then.

[LKB]

If you love excellent organ records and don't have this one, obtain it if at all possible:

https://recordsale.de/en-US/artists/max-reger/albums/variationen-und-fuge-uber-ein-originalthema-op-73-fantasie-uber-den-choral-wachet-auf-ruft-uns-2

[JBS]

I think the DaCamera series didn't have a very good sound, though a digital version (??) has maybe improved it; newer versions are probably preferable.

In the old days of the LP Vox Boxes series, a set of 'Reger complete chamber music' was begun, but it never really took off, except for a few LPs - as far as I remember 2x 3LPs.

I've improved my Reger collection a good deal in recent years; the next step for me would probably be a recording of the complete organ music; I've only got a few of the organ pieces, but for example, a work like 'Inferno Phantasie" (="Symphonic Fantasia & Fugue op.57") sounds intriguing ... I missed the option, when JPC had cheap offers recently.

German source regarding the Inferno Fantasy:
https://franzlehrndorfer.de/max-reger/

I've got both the MDG and Naxos sets of complete organ music. There also seems to be a series on CPO that's not boxed up.
The Naxos set is much bulkier because it's simply all the individual CD issues bundled in a cardboard slipcase. The MDG has a bonus: 2 CDs of Reger's Bach arrangements. The MDG also seems to be cheaper by a lot, going by Amazon prices.

TBH, for anyone who is not an organ afficiando, a couple of CDs worth of Reger's organ music probably suffices.

[MusicTurner]

(...)
TBH, for anyone who is not an organ afficiando, a couple of CDs worth of Reger's organ music probably suffices.

I am not an organ afficionado, but a bit of a repertoire completist, as regards important composers. However, I wouldn't rule out that perhaps in the longer run, Reger could become no.2 among my favourite organ music composers, after Bach, and ahead of Franck, Messiaen, and Liszt. He seems to combine some classicist traits with at times attractive, meandering themes and melodies, and a fairly modernly colored expressivity.

[André]

I am not an organ afficionado, but a bit of a repertoire completist, as regards important composers. However, I wouldn't rule out that perhaps in the longer run, Reger could become no.2 among my favourite organ music composers, after Bach, and ahead of Franck, Messiaen, and Liszt. He seems to combine some classicist traits with at times attractive, meandering themes and melodies, and a fairly modernly colored expressivity.

Same here. I think Reger's organ music is way more interesting than that of those composers you mention. Whatever the form he keeps surprising me and I find there are just too many gems scattered all over to overlook the whole output. I was introduced to his organ works over 20 years ago by a disc of some of his biggest pieces (one is over half an hour in length). It took me a few years to digest them. However when I started the integral set on MDG it was like I was almost familiar with everything :

[Herman]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJVOIhMvfIE&t=1589s

Fairly recently an excellent video of the Hiller Variations was posted on youtube, a 2004 performance by the Leipzig Gewandhaus led by an enthusiastic Herbert Blomstedt, conducting without a score  -  he's the nr 1 Reger conductor in da world. He's pushing eighty at the time of this video. We have a real problem should he ever decide to put his baton to rest.

It's a fabulous edge of the seat performance. I love those wild woodsy sounds in this piece.

According to my sweet girlfriend I have been listening to this music all the time for the past two weeks. Like three of four times a day.