Max Reger: Melancholy (Vocal Works) Huelgas Ensemble

• Max Reger (1873 - 1916): Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin, WoO VI/17, No. 8:
• 1Reger: Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin, WoO VI/17, No. 803:05
• Es waren zwei Königskinder, WoO VI/11, No. 8:
• 2Reger: Es waren zwei Königskinder, WoO VI/11, No. 804:37
• Der Mensch lebt und bestehet nur eine kleine Zeit, Op. 138, No. 1:
• 3Reger: Der Mensch lebt und bestehet nur eine kleine Zeit, Op. 138, No. 102:45
• Ich sehe dich in tausend Bildern, Op.105, No. 1:
• 4Reger: Ich sehe dich in tausend Bildern, Op.105, No. 102:26
• Abendgang im Lenz, Op.111b, No. 2:
• 5Reger: Abendgang im Lenz, Op.111b, No. 204:15
• Zur Nacht, Op. 6, No. 2:
• 6Reger: Zur Nacht, Op. 6, No. 202:17
• O Tod, wie bitter bist du, Op.110, No. 3:
• 7Reger: O Tod, wie bitter bist du, Op.110, No. 308:02
• Das Sternlein, WoO VI/10, No. 2:
• 8Reger: Das Sternlein, WoO VI/10, No. 202:21
• Lass mich dein sein und bleiben, WoO VI/20, No. 3:
• 9Reger: Lass mich dein sein und bleiben, WoO VI/20, No. 303:04
• Ich hab die Nacht geträumet, WoO VI/11, No. 4:
• 10Reger: Ich hab die Nacht geträumet, WoO VI/11, No. 402:50
• Meine Seele ist still zu Gott, Op.105, No. 2:
• 11Reger: Meine Seele ist still zu Gott, Op.105, No. 202:40
• Trost, Op. 6, No. 1:
• 12Reger: Trost, Op. 6, No. 107:52
• Abschiedslied: Was ist es, das so traurig klingt, WoO VI/27:
• 13Reger: Abschiedslied: Was ist es, das so traurig klingt, WoO VI/2703:47
• Total Runtime50:01

Info for Max Reger: Melancholy (Vocal Works)

For over half a century, the Huelgas Ensemble, founded by Paul Van Nevel, has been recognised as one of the world's best vocal ensembles for early music. After countless award-winning recordings of works from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, they are now devoting themselves for the first time exclusively to a composer from the late Romantic period, Max Reger (1873-1916).

Reger is probably best known for his symphonic and organ works, while his vocal repertoire has largely been forgotten. Unjustly so, as Paul van Nevel believes, because he is a great fan of Max Reger's polyphonic music. With this recording, he impressively demonstrates the intensity, depth, variety and quality of Reger's music.

He has selected 13 special works for "Melancholy" - partly "a cappella" music, but also five interesting compositions for choir and piano, in which the renowned conductor and pianist Jos van Immerseel takes on the piano part, for which he has selected a historical Bechstein grand piano from Reger's time from his instrument collection. Reger's interest in the musical past is already evident in his numerous, mostly four-part folk song arrangements (e.g. "Das Sternlein" or "Ich hab' die Nacht geträumt"). But he also made use of stylistic elements from the Renaissance. Melodies from Renaissance songbooks as well as the literary and melodic material left behind by Martin Luther (1483-1546) were a source of inspiration for him.

One of his latest works, the enchanting polyphonic "Der Mensch lebt und bestehet nur eine kleine Zeit" is reminiscent of late Renaissance music. Pieces such as "Mit Fried und Freud" make Reger's great appreciation of J. S. Bach audible and reflect his romantic longing for a lost past. Nevertheless, he strove for creative and new musical paths.

An album that shows Max Reger's special multi-faceted vocal richness!

Huelgas Ensemble
Paul van Nevel, artistic director
Jos van Immerseel, conductor

No biography found.

Booklet for Max Reger: Melancholy (Vocal Works)