Lei Geer Of Polyphonic Techniques To Explore

As the last polyphony master of traditional music of romantic style in late 19th century, Max Reger's (1873-1916) polyphony technique is mainly embodied in his composition of variations and fugues. Fugues and variations account for a significant number and portion of all his compositions, which are important forms that Reger was very interested in and spent a great deal of his energy in his whole life. The techniques of Reger in composition of variations and fugues not only demonstrate his influences under Bach, Beethoven, Schumann and Brahms but also embody his innovative methods in motive derivation and structue in both variations and fugues. Fantastically and astonishingly, he could combine romanticism and Bach's polyphony so smartly and simultaneously incorporated the classic quintessence of Brahms and Wagner's chromatic technique to compose complicated instrumental polyphony with highly talented counterpoint and difficult to ascertain. The research subject explores his polyphony techniques from the angle of polyphony development and through analysis, exploration and research of Reger's variations and fugues with historic evaluation given from which inspiration can be withdrawn in composition.The present study is divided into five chapters. The opening biographical chapter is not only a chronology of events in Reger's life, but is also an attempt to reveal aspects of his musical personality, especially early influences from Hugo Riemann. Also, in the stydy, Reger's intolerant and often swift reaction to critics is discussed, along with his obsession with traveling to conduct or perform as many of his own works as possible.Chapter II is a survey to the formation of Reger's musical personality, including a summary of some of his compositions imporant to the development of his composing techniques and his some other compositions.Chapter III is an analysis of variation movements from Reger's large variation works Op.81, Op.86, Op.100, and Op.132. Chapter IV is a survey and study of Reger's fugue compositions in addition to analyzing selectively his fugue techniques in the fields of organ, piano, chamber music and orchestral. Chapter V consists of conclusions.Reger's variation and fugue works represent a significant contribution to variation and fugue technique for the two old music styles or types. Behind the length and complexity of his style stands an invenitive and solid compositional technique that merits closer examination than has been granted it up to now.