Max Reger, a Catholic, frequently used Protestant church hymns in his organ fantasias, famously stating, "The Protestants do not know what they have in their chorales."
Compositional Technique
Reger's 'Wie schön leucht't uns der Morgenstern' op. 40 No. 1 features excessive chromaticism, massive chordal accumulations, and unmediated dynamic contrasts.
Composition History
Karl Straube, who premiered Reger's 'Wie schön leucht't uns der Morgenstern' op. 40 No. 1, directly influenced its composition by suggesting a melismatically led variation.
Instruments
The P. Furtwängler & Hammer organ in Verden Cathedral, built in 1916, is a significant late Romantic instrument, especially suited for Max Reger's organ music.
Instruments
The Stahlhuth organ in St. Martin's Church in Dudelange, built in 1912, combines French elements with German Romantic tonal qualities, a blend desired by Albert Schweitzer.
Critical Reception
Max Reger considered his compositions valid only from op. 27 onwards, dismissing earlier works as "horrible sins of youth."
Composer's Artistic Vision
Reger developed the church hymn into a large, autonomous musical form, moving beyond its traditional role as a functional chorale prelude.
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Max Reger: Orgelwerke
Reger: Organ Works, Vol. 7
Widor: Organ Symphonies Nos. 5, 6, 8-10
Reger: Das gesamte Orgelwerk, Vol. 2
O.OLSSON: Complete Works for Organ: The Years 1903-08
