Max Reger Chronology | 1873-1887

Brand
March 19th: Birth in Brand (Upper Palatinate) as a son of the village teacher Joseph Reger (1847-1905) and his wife Philomena, née Reichenberger (1852-1911).

1874

Weiden
Joseph Reger is appointed for the new term to the Praeparandenschule in Weiden (Upper Palatinate) where he teaches German, history, geography, harmony, organ and piano; one of his music pupils is Adalbert Lindner, later Reger's teacher and biographer.

1875

In February, birth of a brother, Theodor, who dies after few months.

1876

April 13th: Birth of his sister Emma (d. 1944).

1877

In June, birth of a brother, Alexander who dies in childhood.

1878

Since his 5th year piano instruction with his mother, then also with his father.

1878

Entry to the first, after four weeks changing to the second class of the elementary school since his mother had already instructed him in reading, writing and arithmetics. In July, birth of a brother, Robert, who dies in childhood.

1882

Entry into the royal secondary school.

1884

Piano and organ instruction with Adalbert Lindner, teacher and organist at Weiden (until 1889).

1885

Conversion of the worn-out organ of the Praeparandenschule as a home organ for the Reger family with the father. Organ instruction through the father.

1886

End of the secondary school as one of the best pupils. Entry into the royal Praeparandenschule for the preparation for the teacher's profession to which his parents have determined him. Organist during the Catholic Sunday divine service in the city parish church St Michael which then served as a simultaneously catholic and protestant church. Here he presumably becomes acquainted with the evangelic chorale.

1887

In May Reger appears for the first time in public at the inn Zur Eisenbahn with Julius Schulhoff's sonata in F minor. In August, he spends the holidays on the elegant property Koenigswiesen near Regensburg that had been acquired by his uncle J. B. Ulrich from Vienna. From there he attends the Sundays services at Regensburg cathedral.

Next page: Year 1888