Inspired to follow a career in music after attending a performance of Wagners Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, celebrated composer Max Reger began his musical endeavours as an organist. His compositional style gradually developed, and today his name is synonymous with the schools of Brahms and Beethoven, his two greatest influences. This extensive collection provides a showcase of Regers finest music. Although the composer generally avoided largescale works such as the symphony, some of his Variations nevertheless have a symphonic feel: the J.A. Hiller Variations, which enjoyed much popularity during the composers lifetime; the resplendent Fugue finale of the Beethoven Variations; and the Mozart Variations, long considered a masterpiece. The selection also includes his Concertos, both of which have a distinctly Brahmsian quality, his magnificent Chorale Preludes for organ, as well as music for voice including the renowned Lied To Hope, reminiscent of Wagners Tristan, the Hymn of Love and several sacred songs. Reger further proved his versatility by writing A Ballet Suite, something so unlike anything else he had written that the composer himself said of it: [this] could be by any other composer, just not by me. The collection boasts a wealth of acclaimed conductors, soloists and orchestras including, among others, violinist Walter Hartwich, organist Wouter van den Broek, and conductors Heinz Rögner and Otmar Suitner.