One night at least a month ago, perhaps two, I was browsing in my 22,469 mp3 files*, looking for some classical piece to listen to before bed--something no more than fifteen minutes or so in length, and not overly intense or demanding. This album caught my eye: not the image, but the words "solo viola."

The dates on the files tell me that I acquired this album in 2007, probably for next to nothing. But I had never listened to it. I had barely heard of Max Reger, and had only a vague idea that he was an early 20th century composer. But I do like the viola quite a lot, so I gave it a try, half-expecting it to be half-listenable early 20th century hostility to the ear.

What a happy surprise! The first suite is in G minor, with four movements. The first movement is slow and somberly melodic. It immediately put me in mind of Bach's cello suites, and I have no doubt that Reger meant that it should. The second movement begins energetically and tunefully, goes to a section more like the first movement, then back to energetic. This was definitely interesting and not at all inaccessible music. I listened to the whole suite, which is only a dozen or so minutes long. I liked it, and returned to it the following night, and then again, and with every hearing I only liked  it more. 

I went on to the second and third suites, and over a period of weeks I must have listened to all of them at least half a dozen times each. As of this moment I think I like the third one, also in a minor key (E minor) best. But that may change the next time I listen to one of the others.

I don't suppose these suites measure up to Bach's. I don't know that Reger expected them to, though, as I said, he surely must have been inspired by them and intended the association. Perhaps they're not as profound and complex. But they do possess a similar atmosphere. Rather than flail around trying to describe the music, I can offer you the opportunity to hear it for yourself, thanks to YouTube.

The suites are perfect for the sort of occasion on which I first discovered them, a quiet time when you want to hear some music that's interesting and thoughtful but not dramatic and stimulating. Or long. They're like a late-night conversation with a good friend, reflective and unhurried, sometimes lively but not contentious, and not without humor.

For the first several hearings of all three suites, I listened to the recording I have, the Kobayashi one pictured above. It's a strong, even forceful, performance with very clear and close sound. Then I began to wonder about other performances, and thanks to Idagio I had a number of choices--though the suites had been unknown to me, they are well-known and well-regarded enough that there are a fair number of recordings to choose from. I liked this one best. It's more lyrical than Kobayashi's. 

The question now, obviously, is: what other music by Reger would I like? And would I like it as much as I like this? That would be nice.

* Exact count (maintained by the software, Media Center from J. River)