Max Reger, though Catholic, drew inspiration for his organ works from the Lutheran tradition and its rich store of chorales.
Performer Biography
Christian Barthen, the German organist on this recording, has won awards in several international organ competitions, including the Johann Sebastian Bach Competition in Wiesbaden.
Instruments
The Christuskirche organ, built by Steinmeyer in 1911, is the largest organ in South Germany and was called the 'Mannheimer Wunderwerk' by Sigfrid Karg-Elert.
Critical Reception
Max Reger is widely regarded as the greatest German composer of organ music since Bach, and the esteem for his organ compositions was boosted by his friend Karl Straube, a noted performer of Reger's organ music.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Reger was seen as a champion of absolute music and, at one point, was considered hostile to program music and the legacies of Wagner and Liszt.
Composer Biography
Max Reger's early musical interest was sparked by his father, a schoolmaster and amateur musician, and his initial training was with Adalbert Lindner, the town organist of Weiden.
Composer Biography
In 1911, Reger was invited by the Duke of Saxe-Meiningen to conduct the court orchestra, an ensemble previously led by Hans von Bülow and Richard Strauss.
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