This Naxos release
should dispel two widely-held critical
misconceptions about Max Reger’s music.
The first to be eliminated is that it
uses only limited resources of harmony
and rhythm. Secondly, far from being
dense and challengingly complex, his
music can be immensely stimulating,
packed with tonal colour. I see the
Bavarian-born Reger as the greatest
German composer of organ music since
J.S. Bach and this Naxos series should
support his rehabilitation back to prominence
in the German Romantic school.
Reger composed in several
genres apart from opera, concentrating
principally on keyboard and smaller-scale
works. Although Reger successfully wrote
some larger-scale choral works he was
thirty-five before he first completed
an orchestral work.
The most substantial
pieces on this release are the Chorale
Fantasias How brightly shines the
morning star and May the praise
of God remain my soul’s joy! At
eighteen and fifteen minutes respectively
these never seem overlong, although
much of that is attributable to the
magnificent sound of the Klais organ
and Josef Still’s impeccable playing.
The other works on this disc reveal
themselves as genuine gems. The Introduction
and Passacaglia is an inventive
set of variations remarkable for reprocessing
a long-established form. The Six
Organ Pieces No. 7-12 are concise,
rich and varied works that offer substantial
rewards.
Reger’s colourful organ
works abound in quality and interest
with German-born Josef Still’s technically
assured performances being exemplary
throughout. The superb recorded sound
is warm and detailed. This Naxos release
is a strong recommendation at any price.
Michael Cookson
see
also review by Patrick Gary