Martin Welzel - Reger 10: Organ Works - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

The music of Max Reger has a special position in organ repertoire, and he is regarded by many as the greatest German composer of organ music since Bach. A Catholic himself, he nevertheless drew on Lutheran tradition and the rich store of chorales, the inspiration for chorale preludes, chorale fantasias and other works. The esteem in which his organ compositions were held even in his own time owed much to the advocacy of Karl Straube, also a pupil of Riemann and from 1902 organist at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig. Reger wrote his Chorale Fantasia on 'Alle Menschen müssen sterben', Op. 52, No. 1, (All men must die) in 1900, dedicating it to Julius Smend, then Professor of Theology at the University of Strasbourg, a pioneer in the study of earlier Lutheran music and a leading figure in research into the use of music in the Protestant liturgy. With an Introduction marked at first Assai agitato e molto espressivo (vivace), there is almost at once a reminder of Bach's Durch Adams Fall (Through Adam's fall), with the characteristic interval of a descending seventh, an aural representation of the Fall of Adam that is to recur. The characteristically dense chromatic figuration leads to the chorale melody, the score including the words of the first verse. The melody itself is shared by manuals and pedals, appearing first in the tenor register, then the bass, continuing in the soprano, followed by the pedals again and completed in the tenor. A dramatic interlude leads to more elaborate figuration with the third verse of the chorale, Jesus ist für mich gestorben (Jesus died for me), marked pppp and again shared by varying registers, manuals and pedals. A shorter episode is followed by a version of the melody with the words of the sixth verse superscribed, O Jerusalem, du schöne, ach wie helle glanzest du! (O Jerusalem, thou beautiful, how bright thou shinest!). The intervening epis

Max Reger is regarded by many as the greatest German composer of organ music since Bach. The eighth volume of his organ works includes the monumental and demanding Chorale Fantasia on 'Ein feste Burg' and the popular Introduction and Passacaglia in D. Album Tracks 1. 11. Herr Jesu Christ, Dich Zu Uns Wend 2. 12. Jerusalem, Du Hochgebaute Stadt 3. 13. Jesus, Meine Zuversicht 4. 14. Liebster Jesu, Wir Sind Hier 5. 15. Lobe Den Herren, Den Mächtigen Kã¶Nig Der Ehren 6. 16. Macht Hoch Die TÜR 7. 17. Meinen Jesum Lass Ich Nicht 8. 18. Nun Danket Alle Gott 9. 19. O Dass Ich Tausend Zungen Hätte 10. 20. O Gott, Du Frommer Gott 11. 21. O Haupt Voll Blut Und Wunden (Herzlich Tut Mich Verlangen) 12. 22. O Welt, Ich Muss Dich Lassen 13. 23. Valet Will Ich Dir Geben 14. 24. Vom Himmel Hoch, Da Komm Ich Her 15. 25. Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme 16. 27. Was Mein Gott Will, Das G'scheh Allzeit 17. 28. Wer Nur Den Lieben Gott LÄSST Walten 18. 29. Wie SCHöN Leucht't Uns Der Morgenstern 19. 30. Wunderbarer Kã¶Nig 20. 26. Was Gott Tut, Das Ist Wohlgetan 21. Prelude 22. Fugue

Album Tracks 1. Apparatus Musico-Organisticus, Part I Toccata Prima 2. Apparatus Musico-Organisticus, Part I Toccata Secunda 3. Apparatus Musico-Organisticus, Part I Toccata Tertia 4. Apparatus Musico-Organisticus, Part I Toccata Quarta 5. Apparatus Musico-Organisticus, Part I Toccata Quinta 6. Apparatus Musico-Organisticus, Part I Toccata Sexta 7. Apparatus Musico-Organisticus, Part I Toccata Septima 8. Apparatus Musico-Organisticus, Part I Toccata Octava