Max Reger(1873-1916)

[Symphonic Addict]

As it turned out, I only had time for the opening movement, but yes, it is a most worthwhile experience!

I am using the score video: I hope to finish tomorrow or even hear the entire work in one sitting.

Great to hear! Following along the score must provide much more interesting details. I wish I knew how to read scores.

[Cato]

Great to hear! Following along the score must provide much more interesting details. I wish I knew how to read scores.

I taught myself early in grade school, when I started to compose music.  I have little memory of it, outside of thinking of the notes mathematically.  Somehow it just came naturally.

Try starting with solo instruments playing slow works, then go to string quartets, and other chamber works, then maybe 18th=century symphonies, and work your way up!

e.g.

Awaking early this morning, I finished the work and yes, it is one of the best works by Reger which I have heard.

The performance with the score above has soloist  Benjamin Schmid with the Tampere Philharmonic and Hannu Lintu conducting, a Finnish group.   I find that it lacks punch: one of the commenters wrote "32:36 ff ?"  It is something of a safe performance, a little too delicate, especially where some fire is obviously indicated.  Details are missing: e.g. no real crescendo is heard, where it is indicated, and the orchestra has a soft attack in general.  Things improve somewhat in the Finale, but only somewhat.

So I will be looking for a better performance now, e.g. the one which Symphonic Addict has mentioned!

Many thanks for this discovery!

The work itself is novelistic, a Bildungsroman, with the protagonist experiencing and learning all sorts of things.