Variations and Fugue op. 81

The variation cycle and the fugue are genres in which Max Reger developed a special mastery. Thus one can speak of Reger’s unique Bach Variations op. 81 as the culmination of his piano oeuvre, offering everything that is typical and characteristic of Reger’s style. No other piano work by this great Bach admirer can measure up to this monumental composition in terms of sheer size and inner weight.

Written in Munich in 1904, the Variations are considered challenging to play and difficult to comprehend; but aspiring pianists should not let themselves be deterred by this legend. Behind the complex notation are a clear structure and a wealth of expression. Technical complexity and aesthetics here correlate in an almost classical manner.