Reger: Organ Works, Vol. 6

Featuring

Gerhard Weinberger
Max Reger

Did you know?

1/7

Composition History

Max Reger's Introduction, Passacaglia und Fuge Op. 127 was commissioned by the city of Breslau in 1913 for the dedication of a new music hall with a large organ.

Performer Biography

Gerhard Weinberger, the organist on this recording, received the "Jahrespreis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik" (German Record Critics' Annual Award) in 1991 for his complete recording of Bach's organ works.

Instruments

The Bittner organ in St. Walburga Beilngries, built in 1913, is the largest surviving organ built by the Bittner family and has remained largely unchanged in its design and sound for over a hundred years.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Reger considered the term "Germanness" in his music to be a generic concept, equating it with being "Bachian" or born from the spirit of Bach.

Recording & Production

This album is part of a series of Max Reger's organ works played on historical instruments from his era.

Critical Reception

Reger's chorale preludes were highly praised by critics and musicians, with one musicologist calling them "musical votive pictures" that every advanced organist should own and play diligently.

Instruments

The Steinmeyer organ in Christ Church Mannheim, built in 1911, was called the "Mannheim Wonder Works" by Karg-Elert in 1919, an outstanding timbral document of its era.