Reger Serenade (c. Neeme Järvi)

[Alan Howe]

...forthcoming on Chandos:
https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9411894--neeme-jarvi-in-concert

[John Boyer]

One of Reger's most appealing, approachable works. 

[Alan Howe]

Yes - it's gone straight on my list.

[Febct]

It appears that Reger wrote three (four, counting one Serenade movement for winds) Serenades.  I have recordings of two (Opp. 77a, 141a), the latter also in G Major.  How does this Op. 95 compare with these two?  More "appealing?"

[Alan Howe]

Op.95 is Reger's only Serenade for orchestral forces. It can be heard here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGZVSHe28co

[Febct]

Op.95 is Reger's only Serenade for orchestral forces. It can be heard here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGZVSHe28co

Of course, and thank you for the correction.  I had forgotten (I don't spin my Reger discs that often) that my two aforementioned Serenades were written for a trio of instruments and not, as you point out, for orchestra.  These works, though, I think, also fit the description of "appealing" and "approachable" - they're not densely chromatic and rather are open and airy.   

[eschiss1]

If I remember, op.77a may be a little closer to the chromatic difficulties of the string trio op.77b, but I'll have to relisten.

[John Boyer]

In any case, whatever the qualities of the other serenades, the Op. 95 has a gentle but almost cinematic quality -- Reger gone Hollywood, in a bucolic way. 

[Alan Howe]

John has it spot-on.

[Double-A]

I have played op. 77a (decades ago in a house concert).  It is plenty chromatic, full of accidentals.  It is however very enjoyable (in a bucolic way) for both players and listeners.

It is inspired by Beethoven's serenade op. 27 for the same instruments, a masterpiece which is about as unsung as music by Beethoven can become.

[eschiss1]

.. op.25?
The 2 piano sonatas each "quasi una fantasia" op.27 aren't that unsung. Or serenades.