SKU: BR.EB-8511
Breitkopf Urtext on the basis of the Reger Complete Edition ed. by Hans Klotz, critically examined by Martin Weyer with an introduction by Hans Haselbock
ISBN 9790004178041. 9 x 12 inches.
A key work in Reger's organ production from the time of its first publication in 1902 up to today, the famous F-minor Passacaglia from Op. 63 has cast its spell on generations of organ lovers. The dark bass strides quietly through the depths, persistently and secretly like time itself; a ghostly breath murmurs about the heights and rustles through light leaves; and from within emerges a voice which rises and falls in a seemingly aimless manner, and which speaks more than it sings... (Gustav-Robert Tornow on the 8th variation of the Passacaglia in his 1907 introduction to the work).
SKU: BR.EB-8703
ISBN 9790004180686. 9 x 12 inches.
Please note: this edition has nothing to do with Arnold Schonberg! The Schonberg in question is a town near Kronberg in Germany's hilly Taunus region. Around the turn of the last century, the organist Ludwig Sauer (1861-1940) wanted to have a new organ built at his church there and came up with a novel way to finance it: he asked a number of composers to donate a musical piece. He eventually obtained 36 (!) pieces which he grouped together in the Organ Album for the Benefit of the New Organ in Schonberg by L. Sauer and had published in 1900 by Breitkopf & Hartel. Deserving particular mention is Max Reger's popular Introduction and Passacaglia in D minor, which was printed for the first time in that collection and which no doubt helped Sauer's project make organ history. The Schonberger Orgelalbum contains both free pieces and works based on chorales. Thanks to the brevity of the pieces, the book is ideal for use in teaching and in the religious service..
SKU: BT.DHP-0960790-010
This composition is based on a passacaglia theme, in which artistic perfection, symphonic drama and oriental melody lines play a role. The passacaglia is originally a dance made up of a series of variations above a bass line constantly present as an ostinato. It is not in this sense that the Symphonic Variations are in the passacaglia form but in the sense of the open form of the variations. Jacob de Haan, himself originally an organist, took his inspiration for this piece from the famous passacaglia for organ in C-minor by J.S. Bach. Following the introduction of the passacaglia theme (in the bass) the entry by the trumpets and trombones forms the majestic start to amusical adventure, in which this theme (often fragmentary) returns in variations. Then there follow two faster movements with dramatic contrasts and virtuose passages. Particularly striking here is the use of two characteristic intervals from the beginning of the theme namely the minor second and the augmented fourth. An apause in the composition comes in the slow bridge where a syncopated bourdon (perfect fifth) is constantly repeated. The tension grows in dynamics and harmony, and the oriental-flavour becomes obvious in the melody. We arrive at a faster movement via an accelerando, in which a perpetuum mobile based on the passacaglia theme is central. Finally the whole flows into a martial theme, in which the ostinato accompaniment n the descant derives from the passacaglia theme.
