Laura Young

Max Reger´s String Music for Guitar: Expansion of repertoire and musical technique from bowed string instruments to the classical guitar

Max Reger´s solo cello and viola suites for the classical guitar: transcribed, performed, published and recorded. These suites were inspired by the many solo suites (lute, violin etc.) of J.S. Bach and naturally lend themselves to interpretation on the guitar because of their "absolute" nature. I want to investigate how bowed string technique can and should be used to broaden the expressive possibilities on the guitar using this wonderful, relatively under-appreciated repertoire to demonstrate how and why. I will examine issues such as fidelity to the original articulation and sound production on the guitar including vital musical elements such as vibrato, legato, sustain etc. The results would be demonstrated in a series of concert lectures, 2 CD´s and publication. The welcome addition of the 3 cello suites and 3 viola suites by Max Reger would satisfy the need for pieces of substantial depth and length in the classical guitar repertoire.