Composer

:

Max Reger

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

Dec 1914

First Performance

:

Sep 20, 1915

Average_duration

:

25:36

Movement_count

:

10

Movement ....

Max Reger's 'Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Mozart for 2 pianos, Op. 132a' is a monumental work that showcases the composer's mastery of counterpoint and his deep admiration for Mozart's music. The piece was composed in 1914 and premiered the same year in Leipzig, Germany. The work consists of a theme and 30 variations, followed by a fugue. The theme is taken from the second movement of Mozart's Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major, K. 331. Reger's variations explore a wide range of moods and textures, from playful and virtuosic to introspective and melancholic. The variations are grouped into six sections, each with its own character and tempo. The first section features variations that are light and playful, with a focus on virtuosic display. The second section is more introspective, with variations that explore the theme's harmonic possibilities and create a sense of mystery and tension. The third section returns to the playful mood of the first, with variations that are full of energy and rhythmic vitality. The fourth section is the longest and most complex, featuring variations that are more introspective and melancholic. These variations explore the theme's emotional depth and create a sense of longing and nostalgia. The fifth section returns to the virtuosic display of the first and third sections, with variations that are full of energy and excitement. The final section is the fugue, which brings together all the themes and variations in a grand finale. The fugue is a tour-de-force of counterpoint, with multiple themes and voices interweaving in a complex and thrilling manner. The fugue builds to a powerful climax before resolving in a triumphant coda. Overall, Reger's 'Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Mozart for 2 pianos, Op. 132a' is a masterpiece of piano music that showcases the composer's technical skill and emotional depth. The work is a tribute to Mozart's music, but also a testament to Reger's own unique voice as a composer.

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