Organ works complete
The volumes of the Reger Edition include both printed music and additional digital material.
The present three volumes mark the end of the major project of a new, scholarly complete edition of Max Reger's organ works. The lesser-known series of works in particular conceal true gems, such as the spherical Hail Mary from op. 80 or the at times almost impressionistic Prelude in b from op. 129, which unfortunately often lead a shadowy existence alongside Reger's "great" classics, even though some of them would be technically accessible to advanced amateurs.
In addition to the beautiful volumes of sheet music with an exemplarily presented text, the accompanying DVDs provide an incredible wealth of additional information. On the one hand, drafts (if available), manuscripts, engraver's models, first editions and interesting later editions can be viewed, such as Karl Straube's "arrangements" of three pieces from op. 59 or various preludes and fugues from op. 65 and 80 (strangely, however, that the well-known Toccata and Fugue in d/D from op. 59 was not included in Straube's edition) or Reger's own arrangements of certain works for harmonium. Visualizations of the differences between the versions allow a detailed insight into the genesis of the works and reveal the editorial work. On the other hand (cf. Review of the volume with the chorale preludes) various other information on the works is available, contemporary reviews, Reger's correspondence, details of the organists at the premiere, etc. With this editorial practice, Carus is likely to set the standard for how a work and its context can be made "completely" accessible using the most modern technical means, aided by the fact that in Reger's case the relevant archival material is readily accessible. Fortunately, the publisher has also decided to publish the best-known works (including some chorale fantasias, the most frequently performed large-scale free works, but also chorale preludes and smaller pieces such as op. 59) in individual editions, making them accessible to performers who do not want to pay the very high price for the complete edition, which is justified in every respect by the content.
Max Reger: Works Edition; Volumes I/5-7, Organ Pieces I-III, CV 52.805-52.807, each volume incl. DVD, € 185-208, Carus, Stuttgart 2015
Max Reger: Works Edition; Volumes I/5-7, Organ Pieces I-III, CV 52.805-52.807, each volume incl. DVD, € 185-208, Carus, Stuttgart 2015
Discussion of the Reger biography by Susanne Popp.
