Max Reger (1873-1916)
Extraits de "Monologe", op. 63
Extraits de "Zweiundfünfzig leicht ausführbare Vorspiele zu den gebräuchlichen evangelischen Chorälen"
Extrait de "Douze pièces", op. 65
Prélude et fugue en fa dièse majeur
Extraits de "Dix pièces", op. 69
Prélude et fugue en fa mineur, op. 85 n° 3

Gerhard Weinberger, orgue (Orgue Wilhelm Sauer de la Michaelskirche de Leipzig, orgue Frutwängler & Hammer de St. Nicolai de Lunebourg)

Our successful Reger edition continues this month, while the critics have not yet ceased raving about the previous releases in this series. Musik & Theater even opined, »These recordings number among the best currently available in releases of Reger’s organ music.« Vol. 5 again contains two SACDs offering the very best of surround sound. The focus is formed by pieces from Reger’s Monologues op. 63, op. 65, and op. 67. The Twelve Pieces op. 65 number among his anthologies consisting of shorter organ pieces. In contrast to his major full-length organ compositions, these »pieces« not without their own considerable appeal were intended at least in some parts for use in religious services and above all for organists with more modest skills – which does not mean that they should be undervalued simply because of their degree of difficulty. For example, Piece No. 7 (Prelude) ranks with the much too little known gems in Reger’s immense oeuvre. The short, dynamically entirely subdued B part is a choral texture of captivating beauty, and the Prelude goes on to conclude it with an alternative harmonization and in fff.