March 19 - Max Reger (The Musical Birthday Series)

Max Reger (19 March 1873 – 11 May 1916) had an unrivaled command of counterpoint and late Romantic chromaticism.  Critical opinion varies as to whether this was for better or for worse.

Maxed Out

Max Reger wrote in counterpoint

As if by instinct taught,

Combining it with harmonies,

Abstruse and overwrought.

Max Reger wrote in harmonies

Of prodigal excess,

Combining it with counterpoint

Configured to impress.

His dense and crabbéd textures were

His way of feeling free,

And likewise straying far and wide

From any chosen key.

The Germans like his sort of thing,

Flamboyant, yet severe --

It’s heavy, solid, and well made,

Like sausages and beer.

To Germans he’s canonical,

A master with the best,

For others, Reger’s menu

Is less easy to digest.








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