Reger: Four Tone Poems after A. Böcklin Op. 128

The image of Max Reger as a composer of long, tortuously chromatic, over-elaborate polyphonic extravaganzas dies hard. But his rich output discloses both a passionate commitment to German Romanticism and a neo-classical, indeed neo-Baroque strain of inspiration that made him an important forerunner of Paul Hindemith. This 2-CD set contains the sets of orchestral variations (on themes by Mozart and Hiller) which most successfully synthesise his creative preoccupations, as well as a darkly evocative set of tone-paintings inspired by the canvases of Böcklin, and an exuberant, life-enhancing setting of Psalm 100. Reger’s mastery of orchestral textures is everywhere in evidence, as is a broad good-humour, only occasionally tempered by more melancholy moods. There are comparatively few discs of Reger given his astonishing productivity within a short life; this set is an ideal introduction to his work.

Extensive new booklet notes by Reger scholar Malcolm MacDonald.