Max Reger

Max Reger (1873-1916)

Nationality: German
Born: March 19, 1873, Brand Died: May 11, 1916, Leipzig (age 43)

Piano Quartet in a minor, Op. 133

(for violin, viola, cello and piano)
11:42 I. Allegro con passione
5:16 II. Vivace
9:46 III. Largo con gran espressione
7:17 IV. Allegro con spirito
Duration: 30 minutes (approximately)
Composed: 1914 (age 40-41)
5 recordings, 20 videos
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9:19
Fanny Mendelssohn Quartet
I. Allegro con passione
4:18
Fanny Mendelssohn Quartet
II. Vivace
6:28
Fanny Mendelssohn Quartet
III. Largo con gran espressione
6:35
Fanny Mendelssohn Quartet
IV. Allegro con spirito
9:17
Fanny Mendelssohn Quartet (score)
I. Allegro con passione
4:19
Fanny Mendelssohn Quartet (score)
II. Vivace
8:26
Fanny Mendelssohn Quartet (score)
III. Largo con gran espressione
4:35
Fanny Mendelssohn Quartet (score)
IV. Allegro con spirito
12:50
Trio Lirico, Detlev Eisinger
I. Allegro con passione
6:02
Trio Lirico, Detlev Eisinger
II. Vivace
9:54
Trio Lirico, Detlev Eisinger
III. Largo con gran espressione
8:19
Trio Lirico, Detlev Eisinger
IV. Allegro con spirito
14:08
Mozart Piano Quartet
I. Allegro con passione
6:20
Mozart Piano Quartet
II. Vivace
11:58
Mozart Piano Quartet
III. Largo con gran espressione
8:32
Mozart Piano Quartet
IV. Allegro con spirito
12:57
Aperto Piano Quartet
I. Allegro con passione
5:22
Aperto Piano Quartet
II. Vivace
12:05
Aperto Piano Quartet
III. Largo con gran espressione
8:25
Aperto Piano Quartet
IV. Allegro con spirito
From Edition Silvertrust

Max Reger Reger's Piano Quartet No.2 in a minorwas composed some four years after his first in 1914. The opening movement, Allegro con passione, is melancholy and muted, creating a mournful effect with outbursts of emotion. The second movement, Vivace, is lighter and brighter scherzo with a mysterious sounding trio section. Next comes a Largo con gran espressione. The mood is somber and the music has a religious feel to it. The finale, Allegro con spirito, combines moments of sunshine with darker more brooding episodes.

Max Reger (1873-1916) was born in the small Bavarian town of Brand. He began his musical studies at a young age and his talent for composition became clear early on. His family expected him to become a school teacher like his father and to this end passed the necessary examinations for certification. However, before he landed his first teaching job, he met the eminent musicologist Hugo Riemann, who was so impressed by Reger’s talent that he urged him to devote himself entirely to music. Reger studied with him for nearly five years. By 1907 Reger was appointed to the prestigious position of Professor of composition at the Leipzig Conservatory. In addition to this he was widely regarded as one of the best living conductors and organists. In a career that only lasted 20 years, Reger wrote a prodigious amount of music in virtually every genre except opera and the symphony. Chamber music figures prominently within his oeuvre.

This work belongs in the concert hall but can be managed by experienced amateur players as well.

© Edition Silvertrust. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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