Choralvorspiel "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme", op. 67 Nr. 43 (1902)

Since October of this year, I have been the happy owner of a virtual pipe organ. Today, in all modesty, I dare to upload my first small recording on the new instrument.

I have chosen the chorale prelude "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme" op. 67 No. 43 by Max Reger to coincide with the Advent season and the year of Max Reger's 150th birthday. The composer obviously held this chorale melody in high esteem, as he also used it in two other works: the Choral Prelude op. 135a no. 15 and the large-scale Choral Fantasy op. 52 no. 2.

In this piece, composed in 1902, the cantus firmus alternates between the bass and soprano in long note values. The largely five-part contrapuntal movement remains surprisingly audible by Reger's standards, despite its massive sound - probably due to the often large distances between the individual parts.

As I unfortunately do not yet have a sample set of a German Romantic organ at my disposal, I have chosen the organ of Nancy Cathedral for this recording. But perhaps Reger with a French accent has a charm all of its own...

I wish you all a happy and blessed Advent season!