Johann Baptist Joseph Maximilian Reger (March 19, 1873 - May 11, 1916), known as Max Reger, was German composer, pianist, organist, conductor and teacher.

Born in Bavaria, Reger grew up in Weiden in a musical household. His father taught him organ and violin, and he studied piano with his mother. When he was 15 years old, he traveled to Bayreuth and heard Wagner's operas Parsifal and Die Meistersinger, and their harmonies and tonalities had a profound effect on young Reger. Just a couple of years later, he began studying with Hugo Reimann in Weisbaden, and soon produced his first composition, Violin Sonata no. 1.

In the mid-1890s, Reger was composing many works for piano, while earning a reputation as a great pianist as well, playing a vast array of repertoire, including his own. In the early 1900s, Reger settled in to Munich, but found himself at odds with the more conservative musical circles, and accepted a position at Leipzig University.

Reger wrote music for almost all genres, save for symphonies and opera. He was a supporter of absolute music, and his music often combined the classical structures of Beethoven and Brahms with the harmonies of Liszt and Wagner. His Romantic Suite is written for a large orchestra, and is based of poems by Joseph von Eichendorff. The first movement, Notturno, corresponds to the poem "Nachtzauber" (Night magic) and starts with the winds and horns, hinting early on of impressionistic tonalities and harmonies. The main motive goes flutes, to violins, and then the clarinet comes in with a new theme. It is lush and expressive. The second movement, Scherzo, is after the poem "Elfe" (fairy) and starts with a tremolo in the violins, and the quick 3/4 meter gives a sense of mischief and magic as the movement goes through several key changes. The Finale is named after the poem "Adler" (Eagle), and opens with material from the first movement, followed by the cellos and English horn coming forth with a new, broad theme and then a new one in the woodwinds and horns. New material and old weave in and out in this movement that is similarly lush and expressive as the first movement.

Here are some recordings of this wonderful work for you to enjoy!

Southwest German Radio Symphony Orchestra
NDR Symphony Orchestra