Composer

:

Max Reger

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Fantasy

Compose Date

:

Sep 1900

First Performance

:

Nov 9, 1901

Average_duration

:

15:12

Max Reger's 'Chorale Fantasia, Op. 52/3' is a monumental work for organ that was composed in 1900. It was premiered on October 28, 1900, in the Stadtkirche in Wiesbaden, Germany, with Reger himself at the organ. The piece is part of a set of three chorale fantasias that Reger composed for the organ, and it is considered one of his most significant works for the instrument. The 'Chorale Fantasia, Op. 52/3' is a large-scale work that is divided into three movements. The first movement is a prelude that sets the stage for the rest of the piece. It begins with a majestic introduction that features a series of chords played in the pedal. This is followed by a series of variations on the chorale melody, which is introduced in the manuals. The variations are complex and virtuosic, featuring intricate counterpoint and elaborate figuration. The second movement is a fugue that is based on the same chorale melody as the first movement. The fugue is built on a subject that is derived from the chorale melody, and it features a complex web of imitative counterpoint. The fugue is notable for its intensity and its use of chromatic harmonies, which give it a sense of tension and drama. The third movement is a chorale that brings the piece to a close. The chorale is a simple and straightforward setting of the melody, with the organ playing the chorale melody in the manuals and the pedal. The harmonies are rich and full, and the piece ends with a grand flourish. Overall, the 'Chorale Fantasia, Op. 52/3' is a complex and challenging work that showcases Reger's mastery of the organ. It is notable for its use of complex counterpoint, chromatic harmonies, and virtuosic figuration. The piece is a testament to Reger's skill as a composer and his deep understanding of the organ as an instrument.

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