Der 100. Psalm

Der 100. Psalm
Choral composition by Max Reger

The composer
English The 100th Psalm
Key D major
Catalogue Op. 106
Occasion 350th anniversary of the Jena University
Text Psalm 100
Language German
Composed 1908 (1908)–09
Dedication Philosophical Faculty of the Jena University
Performed
  • 31 July 1908 (1908-07-31): Leipzig (Part I)
  • 23 February 1910 (1910-02-23): Chemnitz
  • 23 February 1910 (1910-02-23): Breslau
Published 1916 (1916): Leipzig by Peters
Movements 4
Scoring
  • chorus
  • orchestra
  • organ

Der 100. Psalm (The 100th Psalm), Op. 106, is a composition in four movements by Max Reger in D major for mixed choir and orchestra, a late Romantic setting of Psalm 100. Reger began to compose the work in 1908 for the 350th anniversary of the Jena University. Part I was premiered on 31 July that year. Reger completed the composition in 1909.[1] It was published that year and premiered on 23 February 2010 simultaneously in both Chemnitz and Breslau.

History

Reger began the work for the 350th anniversary of the Jena University.[2] He based the composition on Psalm 100 in the translation by Martin Luther.[1] He composed the work in Leipzig, beginning on 24 April 1908 and working on it until the beginning of July that year. He dedicated it "Der hohen Philosophischen Fakultät der Universität Jena zum 350jährigen Jubiläum der Universität Jena" (To the high Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Jena for the 350th anniversary of the University).[1] Part I was first performed on 31 July 1908 for the university anniversary. Fritz Stein conducted the Akademischer Chor Jena and the Sängerschaft zu St. Pauli, the band of the 71. Infanterieregiment Erfurt and members of the Weimar court orchestra (Weimarer Hofkapelle), and organist Kurt Gorn.[1] After the first performance, Reger received an honorary doctorate from the Jena University.[2][3]

Reger completed the composition of the psalm in May to August of 1909.[1] It was published by Peters in Leipzig, first the vocal score with piano in September 1909, with the piano reduction prepared by Reger himself. The score and the parts appeared in December that year.[1] The complete work was premiered simultaneously on 23 February 1910 in both Chemnitz and Breslau. In Chemnitz, Reger conducted the church choir of St. Lukas and the municipal orchestra (Städtische Kapelle), with Georg Stolz at the organ. In Breslau, Georg Dohrn conducted the Sing-Akademie and the Orchester-Verein, with organist Max Ansorge [1]

Structure and scoring

The text of the psalm is structured in four movements:

  1. Jauchzet – Maestoso
  2. Erkennet – Andante sostenuto
  3. Gehet zu seinen Toren ein – Allegretto con grazia
  4. Denn der Herr ist freundlich – Andante sostenuto – Allegro maestoso

The work is scored for a four-part choir and an orchestra of two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, two trumpets, three trombones, tuba, three timpani and more percussion, organ, and strings. In the final movement, an additional brass ensemble of four trumpets and four trombones plays the cantus firmus of Luther's chorale "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott".[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Institut 2016.
  2. 1 2 Biography 2016.
  3. ↑ Leipzig 2016.

Bibliography

Scores

Max-Reger-Institut

Online sources

External links

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