March 19, 1873:
Johann Baptist Joseph Maximilian Reger is born opposite the town hall in Brand, Upper Palatinate, Bavaria, German Empire, one of five children born to Joseph Reger, a schoolmaster and author of a harmony textbook, and Katharina Philomena Reichenberger.
September 20, 1890:
Max Reger (17) enters Wiesbaden Conservatory studying piano and theory. He is made teacher for piano and organ in order to pay for his education.
March 24, 1891:
The first two movements of the Sonata for violin and piano op.1 by Max Reger (18) are performed for the first time, at Wiesbaden Conservatory, the composer at the keyboard. See 21 November 1891.
November 21, 1891:
Sonata for violin and piano op.1 by Max Reger (18) is performed completely for the first time, in Wiesbaden the composer at the keyboard. See 24 March 1891.
April 12, 1892:
Sonata for violin and piano op.3 by Max Reger (19) is performed for the first time, in Wiesbaden, the composer at the keyboard.
August 8, 1892:
Four of the Six Songs for medium voice and piano op.4 by Max Reger (19) are performed for the first time, at Wiesbaden Conservatory, the composer at the keyboard.
August 3, 1893:
A Waltz-Caprice for piano-four hands op.9 by Max Reger (20) is performed for the first time, at Wiesbaden Conservatory, by the composer.
October 17, 1893:
Sonata for cello and piano op.5 by Max Reger (20) is performed for the first time, in Wiesbaden, the composer at the piano.
February 14, 1894:
Trio for piano and strings op.2 by Max Reger (20) is performed completely for the first time, in Berlin the composer at the keyboard, in the first concert devoted entirely to the music of Reger.
April 9, 1896:
Max Reger (23) sends his Suite in e minor for organ op.16 to Johannes Brahms (62) in the hope of receiving encouraging words. He also asks for Brahms’ permission to dedicate a symphony to him. Brahms responds favorably to both.
October 1, 1896:
Max Reger (23) is drafted into the German army.
March 3, 1897:
Suite for organ op.16 by Max Reger (23) is performed for the first time, in the Dreifaltigkeitskirche, Berlin.
October 1, 1897:
After one year of active service in the German army, Max Reger (24) is discharged into the reserves.
May 14, 1898:
Liebestraum for piano or organ WoO III/7 by Max Reger (25) is performed for the first time, in Wiesbaden.
September 20, 1898:
Fantasy on Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott op.27 for organ by Max Reger (25) is performed for the first time, in the Wilibrordi-Dom, Wesel.
November 19, 1898:
Hymne an den Gesang for male chorus and orchestra op.21 by Max Reger (25) is performed for the first time, in Weiden, the composer conducting.
January 1, 1899:
Six Waltzes op.22 for piano-four hands by Max Reger (25) are performed for the first time, in Weiden by the composer.
March 8, 1899:
Fantasy and Fugue in c minor op.29 for organ by Max Reger (25) is performed for the first time, in Willibroddom zu Wesel.
June 14, 1899:
Organ Sonata no.1 op.33 by Max Reger (26) is performed for the first time, in the Kreuzeskirche, Essen.
October 24, 1899:
Chorale Fantasias on Wie schön leucht’t uns der Morgenstern and Straf’ mich nicht in deinem Zorn op.40 for organ by Max Reger (26) are performed for the first time, in the Willibrordi-Dom, Wesel.
March 9, 1900:
The second of the Seven Male Choruses op.38 by Max Reger (26) is performed for the first time, in Zwickau.
December 11, 1900:
Sonata for violin and piano no.3 op.41 by Max Reger (27) is performed for the first time, in the Museumssaal im Palais Portia, Munich, the composer at the piano.
April 28, 1901:
Fantasy on “Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme” op.52/2 for organ by Max Reger (28) is performed for the first time, in the Willibrordi-Dom, Wesel.
April 29, 1901:
Sonata for cello and piano op.28 by Max Reger (28) is performed for the first time, in Wesel.
September 1, 1901:
Feeling isolated, Max Reger (28) moves from Weiden to Munich.
October 31, 1901:
Piece for organ op.59/2 by Max Reger (28) is performed for the first time, in Zwickau.
November 9, 1901:
Three works for organ by Max Reger (28) are performed for the first time, in Kaimsaal, Munich: Fantasy on “Halleluja! Gott zu loben, bleibe meine Seelenfreud” op.52/3 and the Pieces for Organ op.59/7,9.
February 20, 1902:
Symphonic Fantasy and Fugue op.57 for organ by Max Reger (28) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
April 18, 1902:
Sonata for clarinet and piano op.49/1 by Max Reger (29) is performed for the first time, in the Museumssaal im Palais Portia, Munich, the composer at the keyboard.
May 1, 1902:
Romance for violin and small orchestra op.50/1 by Max Reger (29) is performed for the first time, in Munich.
May 11, 1902:
Sonata for organ no.2 op.60 by Max Reger (29) is performed for the first time, in Merseberg.
May 17, 1902:
Befiehl dem Herrn deine Wege WoO VII/34 for soprano, alto, and organ by Max Reger (29) is performed for the first time, at Berchtesgaden.
May 19, 1902:
Palmsonntagmorgen WoO VI/18 for chorus by Max Reger (29) is performed for the first time, in St. Lukas, Chemnitz.
December 7, 1902:
Max Reger (29) marries Elsa (Bagenski) von Bercken in the village church of Boll near Göppingen, Württemberg in a Lutheran ceremony. As a divorced Lutheran, Elsa is not welcome in the Reger family and Max Reger will be excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church.
March 1, 1903:
Four of the Ten Pieces for organ op.69/6, 7, 9, 10 by Max Reger (30) are performed for the first time, in the Berlin Garnisonkirche. See 4 March 1903.
March 4, 1903:
The third and eighth of the Ten Pieces for organ op.69 by Max Reger (29) in the Thomaskirche, Leipzig. See 1 March 1904.
May 1, 1903:
Quintet for piano and strings op.64 by Max Reger (30) is performed for the first time, in Munich.
November 5, 1903:
Sonata for violin and piano no.4 op.72 by Max Reger (30) is performed for the first time, in Munich, the composer at the piano.
December 20, 1903:
Von Himmel hoch, da komm ich her WoO V/4 no.1, a cantata by Max Reger (30), is performed for the first time, in the Garnisonkirche, Berlin.
February 24, 1904:
Sonata no.4 for violin alone op.42/4 by Max Reger (30) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
March 2, 1904:
Sonata no.1 for violin alone op.42/1 by Max Reger (30) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
March 4, 1904:
Ten Pieces for organ op.69 by Max Reger (30) are performed for the first time, in Berlin.
April 28, 1904:
String Quartet op.54/2 by Max Reger (31) is performed for the first time, in Munich.
April 29, 1904:
The first concert of the recently founded Munich branch of the Allgemeiner Deutscher Musikverein is devoted entirely to the music of its secretary, Max Reger (31). His Sonata for clarinet and piano op.49/2 is performed for the first time, the composer at the keyboard.
October 22, 1904:
Two works for piano-four hands by Max Reger (31) are performed for the first time, in the Museumssaal im Palais Portia, Munich: Five Picturesque Pieces op.34 and Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Beethoven op.86. The composer plays one part in both works.
November 29, 1904:
String Trio op.77b by Max Reger (31) is performed for the first time, in the Museumssaal im Palais Portia, Munich.
December 30, 1904:
String Quartet no.3 op.74 by Max Reger (31) is performed for the first time, in the Kleiner Saal des Saalbaus, Frankfurt-am-Main.
February 20, 1905:
Ten Songs for Male Choir op.83 by Max Reger (31) are performed for the first time, in Leipzig.
March 1, 1905:
Variations and Fugue on an Original Theme op.73 for organ by Max Reger (31) is performed for the first time, in the Garnisonkirche, Berlin.
March 4, 1905:
O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden WoO V/4 no.3, a cantata by Max Reger (31), is performed for the first time, in the Thomaskirche, Leipzig.
March 7, 1905:
Sonata for violin and piano no.5 op.84 by Max Reger (31) is performed for the first time, in the Bechsteinsaal, Berlin, the composer at the keyboard.
May 1, 1905:
Max Reger (32) enters upon duties as a professor at the Akademie der Tonkunst, Munich. He will resign in little more than a year because of differences with the conservative staff.
October 8, 1905:
Max Reger’s (32) Sinfonietta op.90 is performed for the first time, in the Kreuzeskirche, Essen.
November 16, 1905:
Sonata no.2 for violin alone op.42/2 by Max Reger (32) is performed for the first time, in the Bechsteinsaal, Berlin.
January 18, 1906:
Gesang der Verklärten op.71 for chorus and orchestra by Max Reger (32) is performed for the first time, in the Kurhaus, Aachen.
February 2, 1906:
The first time that Max Reger’s (32) Sinfonietta is played in Munich, a fight breaks out afterwards between proponents and opponents of the music and the composer. Reger’s supporters march through the streets to the home of the music critic Rudolf Louis. They “serenade” him with trumpets, tin pots, and various noisemakers.
April 7, 1906:
Suite im alten Stil op.93 for violin and piano by Max Reger (33) is performed for the first time, in Berlin, the composer at the keyboard.
October 23, 1906:
Serenade for orchestra op.95 by Max Reger (33) is performed for the first time, in Cologne.
November 12, 1906:
Introduction, Passacaglia, and Fugue op.96 for two pianos by Max Reger (33) is performed for the first time, in the grosser Saal des Konservatoriums, Cologne, the composer at the piano.
November 25, 1906:
Meinen Jesum lass ich nicht WoO V/4, a cantata by Max Reger (33), is performed for the first time, in Leipzig.
December 8, 1906:
Six Pieces for piano op.94 by Max Reger (33) are performed for the first time, in the Bechsteinsaal, Berlin, the composer at the keyboard.
February 2, 1907:
The first of the Three Choruses op.6 for chorus and piano by Max Reger (33) is performed for the first time.
March 23, 1907:
Max Reger (34) moves from Munich to Leipzig to take up his position as director of music at the University of Leipzig.
April 1, 1907:
Max Reger (34) enters into duties as director of music at the University of Leipzig.
August 27, 1907:
The first of the Two Sacred Songs for voice and organ by Max Reger (34), is performed for the first time, in the Kolberg Marendom, the composer at the organ.
October 15, 1907:
Variations and Fugue on a Theme of JA Hiller, op.100 for orchestra by Max Reger (34), is performed for the first time, in Cologne.
March 22, 1908:
Piano Trio op.102 by Max Reger (35) is performed for the first time, in the Leipzig Gewandhaus, the composer at the keyboard.
July 1, 1908:
Max Reger (35) receives an honorary DMus from the University of Vienna.
July 31, 1908:
Max Reger (35) receives an honorary DMus from the University of Jena. The first part of his Psalm for chorus, orchestra, and organ op.106, and the Weihegesang WoO V/6 for chorus and winds to words of Liebmann, are premiered in the Stadkirche.
October 15, 1908:
The Violin Concerto op.101 of Max Reger (35) is performed for the first time, in the Leipzig Gewandhaus.
October 21, 1908:
Abendgang op.111a/3 for soprano, alto, and piano by Max Reger (35) is performed for the first time, in Dresden, the composer at the piano.
November 7, 1908:
Six Recital Pieces for violin and piano op.103a by Max Reger (35) are performed for the first time, in the Prague Rudolphinum, the composer at the keyboard.
March 9, 1909:
Sinfonischer Prolog zu einer Tragodie op.108 by Max Reger (35) is performed for the first time, in Cologne.
June 9, 1909:
Sonata for clarinet and piano no.3 op.107 by Max Reger (36) is performed for the first time, in Darmstadt, the composer at the piano.
September 30, 1909:
String Quartet no.4 op.109 by Max Reger (36) is performed for the first time, in the kleiner Saal des Saalbaus, Frankfurt-am-Main.
November 13, 1909:
Mein Oden is schwach op.110/1 for chorus by Max Reger (36) is performed for the first time, in the Thomaskirche, Leipzig.
February 23, 1910:
Psalm 100 for chorus, orchestra, and organ op.106 by Max Reger (36) is performed for the first time, in Chemnitz. It is received very positively by press and critics.
February 26, 1910:
String Quartet op.54/1 by Max Reger (36) is performed for the first time, in Trieste.
May 8, 1910:
Die Nonnen op.112 for chorus by Max Reger (37) is performed for the first time, in Dortmund.
May 30, 1910:
Piano Quartet op.113 by Max Reger (37) is performed for the first time, in the Kleiner Tonhallesaal, Zürich.
September 12, 1910:
Symphony no.8 “of a thousand” for three sopranos, two altos, tenor, baritone, bass, boys chorus, mixed chorus, and orchestra by Gustav Mahler (50) to the medieval hymn Veni Creator Spiritus and words of Goethe, is performed for the first time, at the Neue Musik Festhalle, Munich, conducted by the composer. The performers include eight soloists, 170 in the orchestra (plus organ) and 850 singers (both children and adult). It is the greatest success of Mahler’s life. Among the glittering audience are Camille Saint-Saëns (74), Alphons Diepenbrock (48), Richard Strauss (46), Paul Dukas (44), Max Reger (37), Alfredo Casella (27), Anton Webern (26), Auguste Rodin, Lilli Lehmann, Siegried Wagern, Willem Mengelberg, Bruno Walter, Leopold Stokowski, and Thomas Mann. Mann will send Mahler a copy of his new book Königliche Hoheit. “It is certainly a very poor return for what I received—a mere feather’s weight in the hand of the man who, as I believe, expresses the art of our time in its profoundest and most sacred form.” It is the last time Mahler and Strauss meet.
October 1, 1910:
The second part of the eight Episoden op.115 for piano by Max Reger (37) is performed for the first time, in Arnsheim by the composer. See 30 November 1910.
October 7, 1910:
The Chaconne in g minor op.117/4 for violin by Max Reger (37) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
October 12, 1910:
Max Reger (37) receives an honorary MD from the faculty of medicine at the University of Berlin since “the harmoniousness of his music raises the spirits of those stricken with melancholy and heals sick minds.”
November 30, 1910:
The first part of the eight Episoden op.115 for piano by Max Reger (37) is performed for the first time, in Berlin by the composer. Also premiered is the third of Reger’s Preludes and Fugues op.117/3 for violin. See 1 October 1910.
December 15, 1910:
The Piano Concerto op.114 by Max Reger (37) is performed for the first time, in the Leipzig Gewandhaus.
January 17, 1911:
Sonata for cello and piano op.116 by Max Reger (37) is performed for the first time, in Hamburg.
March 12, 1911:
A String Sextet op.118 by Max Reger (37) is performed for the first time, in the Kleiner Saal des Gewandhauses, Leipzig.
October 3, 1911:
The Sonata for violin and piano no.8 op.122 by Max Reger (38) is performed for the first time, in Duisberg, the composer at the keyboard.
October 6, 1911:
Eine Lustspielouvertüre op.120 for orchestra by Max Reger (38) is performed for the first time, in Boston.
October 11, 1911:
String Quartet no.5 op.121 by Max Reger (38) is performed for the first time, in Dresden.
October 12, 1911:
Die Weihe der Nacht op.119 for alto, male chorus, and orchestra by Max Reger (38) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
November 22, 1911:
The second and third of the Three Choruses op.6 by Max Reger (38) are performed for the first time, in Berlin.
December 1, 1911:
Max Reger (38) enters upon duties as court conductor to Duke Georg II von Sachsen-Meiningen.
January 17, 1912:
Jean Sibelius (46) is offered the position of Professor of Composition at the Akademie für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Vienna. He is their third choice after Richard Strauss (47) and Max Reger (38). Sibelius will decline.
October 4, 1912:
Max Reger’s (39) Konzert im alten Stil op.123 is performed for the first time, in Frankfurt-am-Main.
October 11, 1912:
Romantische Suite op.125 by Max Reger (39) is performed for the first time, in Dresden.
October 12, 1912:
An die Hoffnung op.124 for alto and orchestra by Max Reger (39) is performed for the first time, in the Eisenach Stadttheater, the composer conducting.
November 10, 1912:
O Tod, wie bitter bist du op.110/3 for chorus by Max Reger (39) is performed for the first time, in St. Lukas, Chemnitz.
June 6, 1913:
Römischer Triumphgesang op.126 for male chorus and orchestra by Max Reger (40) to words of Lingg is performed for the first time, in the Volkshaus, Jena.
September 24, 1913:
Introduction, Passacaglia, and Fugue op.127 for organ by Max Reger (40) is performed for the first time, in Breslau (Wroclaw).
October 12, 1913:
Vier Tondichtungen nach Arnold Böcklin op.128 by Max Reger (40) are performed for the first time, in Essen.
October 31, 1913:
Eine Ballettsuite op.130 for orchestra by Max Reger (40) is performed for the first time, in the Preußischer Hof, Zeitz.
December 11, 1913:
Ach, Herr, strafe mich nicht op.110/2 for chorus by Max Reger (40) is performed for the first time, in the Konzertsaal des Kurhauses, Aachen.
February 28, 1914:
Max Reger (40) suffers a nervous breakdown after a concert in Hagen. He cancels all performing engagements and goes to a sanitorium in Meran.
July 16, 1914:
Abschiedslied WoO VI/27 for chorus by Max Reger (41), to words of von Seydewitz, is performed for the first time, in Jena.
September 20, 1914:
Four of the songs for voice and piano op.137 by Max Reger (41) are performed for the first time, in the Stadtkirche, Hildburghausen: Bitte um einem seligen Tod, Uns ist geboren ein Kindelein, Grablied and Lass dich nur nichts nicht daurn. The composer performs at the piano.
November 6, 1914:
Four of the songs for voice and piano op.137 by Max Reger (41) are performed for the first time, in Meiningen: Dein Wille, Herr, geschehel, Am Abend, Klage vor Gottes Leiden, and O Jesu Christ, wir warten dein. The composer performs at the piano.
January 8, 1915:
Two works for orchestra by Max Reger (41) are performed for the first time, in Großer Saal des Kurhauses, Wiesbaden the composer conducting: Variations and Fugue on a Theme of Mozart op.132 and Eine vaterländische Ouvertüre op.140.
February 7, 1915:
Quartet for piano and strings op.133 by Max Reger (41) is performed for the first time, in the Gewandhaus, Leipzig the composer at the keyboard.
March 10, 1915:
Variations and Fugue on a Theme of G.P. Telemann op.134 for piano by Max Reger (41) is performed for the first time, in the Königliche Akademische Hochschule für Musik, Berlin.
July 29, 1915:
Sonata for violin and piano no.9 op.139 by Max Reger (42) is performed for the first time, privately, in the composer’s home in Jena.
October 6, 1915:
Sonata for violin and piano no.9 op.139 by Max Reger (42) is performed publicly for the first time, in the Rathaussaal, Dortmund, the composer at the keyboard. See 29 July 1915.
November 30, 1915:
A Trio for violin, viola, and cello by Max Reger (42) is performed for the first time, in Munich.
December 24, 1915:
Max Reger (42) writes, “Now I, too, think and hope that the killing cannot last for much longer. It is really terrible! It seems that mankind lives in a downright frenzy of hatred, bloodthirstiness, etc.--This is the greatest mockery if one considers how our governments--and that of course also includes, in particular, the governments of our enemies--continue to toss around buzzwords such as ‘culture’ and ‘civilization.’ It is horrible! After all, it was only ten people who instigated this terrible tragedy!”
January 16, 1916:
Two Songs for chorus and orchestra op.144 by Max Reger (42) are performed for the first time, in Heidelberg.
May 11, 1916:
After returning from a concert tour, Johann Baptist Joseph Maximilian Reger dies in his room in Hotel “Hentschel” in Leipzig, German Empire, apparently of heart failure. He is aged 43 years, one month, and 22 days. His mortal remains will be laid to rest in Jena Cemetery. (In 1930, his ashes will be reinterred in the Waldfriedhof, Munich)
June 11, 1916:
Fantasy and Fugue op.135b for organ by Max Reger (†0) is performed for the first time, in the Stadthalle, Hannover.
October 28, 1916:
Suite in g minor op.131d/1 for viola by Max Reger (†0) is performed for the first time, in the Konzerthaus, Vienna.
November 6, 1916:
A Quintet for clarinet and strings op.146 by Max Reger (†0) is performed for the first time, in Stuttgart.
October 9, 1917:
The Suites in D major op.131d/2 and e minor op.131d/3 for viola by Max Reger (†1) are performed for the first time, in the Bechsteinsaal, Berlin.
June 23, 1918:
Hymnus der Liebe op.136 for solo voice and orchestra by Max Reger (†2) to words of Jacobowski, is performed for the first time, in the Jena Volkshaus.
June 6, 1922:
Piano Quintet in c minor WoO II/9 by Max Reger (†6) is performed for the first time, in the Düsseldorf Tonhalle.
May 2, 1929:
Allegro in A for two violins WoO II/18 by Max Reger (†13) is performed for the first time, at the Leipzig Konservatorium.
June 24, 1933:
Auferstanden, auferstanden WoO V/4 no.5, a cantata by Max Reger (†17), is performed for the first time, in Kassel.
February 10, 1940:
String Quartet in d minor WoO II/2 by Max Reger (†23) is performed for the first time, in Munich.
September 22, 1960:
A Symphony in d minor WoO I/3 by Max Reger (†44) is performed for the first time, in the Capitol-Theater, Dortmund.
October 24, 1982:
A Symphony in d minor WoO I/8 by Max Reger (†66) is performed for the first time, in the Berlin Philharmonie.
December 5, 1982:
Wind Serenade in B flat WoO I/9 by Max Reger (†66) is performed for the first time, in the Robert-Schumann-Saal, Düsseldorf.
September 13, 1992:
Harmonies funèbres WoO II/4 for piano quintet by Max Reger (†76) is performed for the first time, in the Berlin Schauspielhaus.