Böcklin-Suite

This album contains two of Max Reger's most beautiful orchestral works, composed towards the end of his life: the "Four Tone Poems after Arnold Böcklin" and the "Romantic Suite", both sensual and poetic works that suggest a loose connection with Claude Debussy. In 2023 it was 150 years since Reger was born, and his music is rarely heard on concert programmes. During his lifetime he enjoyed great esteem: Paul Hindemith called him "the last giant of music", and when Arnold Schönberg founded his Society for Private Musical Performances in 1918, Max Reger was among the most performed composers, alongside Debussy and Béla Bartók. Schönberg admired Reger as an important innovator and promoted his music because "he is still unknown" and "I regard him as a genius". The Gävle Symphony Orchestra, founded in 1912, has a long and fascinating history and has played an important role in the Swedish music scene ever since. The orchestra dedicates itself with equal curiosity and commitment to a repertoire ranging from baroque to the latest contemporary music. Through a series of acclaimed recordings, the orchestra has also brought many older Swedish composers into the spotlight and given them the recognition they deserve. Spanish conductor Jaime Martín has been conductor of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra since 2022. Previously, he was chief conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland (2019-2024), principal guest conductor of the Spanish National Orchestra (2022-2024) and artistic director and chief conductor of the Gävle Symphony Orchestra (2013-2022). After many years working as a highly respected flautist, Jaime began conducting full-time in 2013 and was soon in demand worldwide.