Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Bach

Historical context

The Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Bach, Op. 81, draws its theme from the obbligato oboe part of the duet “Sein’ Anmuth zu ergründen” (for alto and tenor) from Bach’s Cantata “Auf Christi Himmelfahrt”. As recounted in the book, the fourteen variations seem to follow the mystical mood of the text, and despite their differences, “the prevailing basic idea always reappears vividly.” The premiere of this work was given on December 14, 1904, in Munich by August Schmid-Lindner, as noted in the Zeittafel and the book.

According to the book, the work found “great acclaim without further ado and entered the programs of piano recitals.” It was also significant as, after Brahms’ variations on a Handel theme, these were “the first great ‘concert work’ of their kind,” making them “all the more welcome to professional pianists.” This monumental piano work, however, was already beyond the composer’s own pianistic capabilities to perform, despite his skill, as the book observes.

Drawn from Segnitz, Eugen, 1862-1927, Max Reger : Abriss seines Lebens und Analyse seiner Werke (1922); Unger, Hermann, 1886-1958, Max Reger; Darstellung seines Lebens, Wesens und Schaffens (1921); Lindner, Adalbert; Lindner, Adalbert, b. 1860, Max Reger : ein Bild seines Jugendlebens und künstlerischen Werdens (1922) — public domain, archive.org.