The Suites for viola, composed in the summer of 1915, are considered a "farewell to life" by Reger, who died in May 1916.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Max Reger, the composer, explicitly compared his Violin Sonata No. 7 to the works of J.S. Bach, stating, "Bach only wrote six" sonatas while he had just finished his seventh.
Compositional Technique
Reger's Sonata No. 7 in A minor features a largely polyphonic treatment of parts and a Chaconne developed with continuous variation, reflecting a Bach-like insistence.
Instruments
The viola featured on the cover of this CD, an Amati instrument from 1595, was stolen from Luigi Alberto Bianchi in October 1980 and never recovered.
Composer Biography
Max Reger, though born a pianist and later studying organ, composed works of great complexity for string instruments, including the Three Suites for solo Viola Op. 131d.
Compositional Technique
In the central Vivace movement of the Violin Sonata No. 7, Reger includes double stops, which are described as a "healthy 'obsession'" in his writing for solo string instruments.
Performer Biography
Luigi Alberto Bianchi, the performer on this album, was a child prodigy, giving his debut violin recital at the age of seven after only one year of study.
You might also enjoy...
Paganini: 24 Caprices, Op. 1, MS 25 (Arr. E. Goldstein for Viola)
Hindemith: Viola Sonatas
qWIENtett
Tapestry (New Music from the Americas)
French Saxophones
Cuentos de Opera
Latvian Impressions II
SHADOWS THE UNACCOMPANIED VIOLA SONATAS OF GÜNTER RAPHAEL
