Max Reger composed the present work in 1899 for the 'Schönberger Orgelalbum' which served as a means of funding the new organ in Schönberg im Taunus. Other renowned organ composers of the time also contributed works to this project such as Guilmant Rheinberger and Widor. Reger referred to his piece as a 'little work' that is 'intentionally not difficult' – yet he succeeded in creating a highly skillful piece that was hailed as a confirmation of Reger's artistry at the organ and enjoyed great popularity from the very start.
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..
