What is the greatest recording of Reger's op 121 quartet?

Herman · December 20, 2024, 06:23:54 AM

That A minor piano quartet is really another terrific late Reger piece, really close to the valedictory clarinet quintet.
One thing that's extraordinary about Reger is the very precise way he notates for the string players. With literally every single note it gets indicated on which string he wishes the note or line played.
And this from a keyboard player, piano and organ. He was acutely aware that a violin is really four instruments, one for each string.
His violin writing is extremily difficult, there's really no intuitive easy note...

Peter Serkin & Orion Quartet ca 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52yD1a8Sd2E

Mandryka · December 20, 2024, 01:40:20 PM

Listening now for the first time to yet another lovely piece, the D minor string trio. Lovely's not right actually - much better than that! As with the op 121 quartet I like the sudden changes to the textures. Will check that youtube to op 121 this weekend hopefully, @Herman It's interesting that you've found two for the 2nd piano trio, I couldn't find any for the last quartet.

Basically, it looks to me as though if the opus number has three digits, it's a good bet with Reger!

Herman · December 20, 2024, 10:46:39 PM

Quote from: Mandryka on December 20, 2024, 01:40:20 PMBasically, it looks to me as though if the opus number has three digits, it's a good bet with Reger!

Yes, that's the golden rule. Starting with the Hiller variations (op 100) and the Piano Trio (102) there's a lot of very good works. TBH in between is the never-ending violin concerto, op 101, which I have never been able to get into.

Mandryka · Last Edit: **Today** at 12:51:19 AM by Mandryka

And another goodie - op 102 piano trio - this morning. Trio Parnassus.

Quote from: Herman on December 20, 2024, 10:46:39 PMYes, that's the golden rule. Starting with the Hiller variations (op 100) and the Piano Trio (102) there's a lot of very good works. TBH in between is the never-ending violin concerto, op 101, which I have never been able to get into.

I've always intended to explore the very early music too, because I love so much the op 14 duets

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlHGAHoNTII

Mandryka · Last Edit: **Today** at 06:30:16 AM by Mandryka

You know how sometimes you hear a performance and think straight away, this is special? Well that just happened to me with Artium Trio Reger op 102 piano trio on Brilliant

The second movement of this trio is a hoot.