"The performers are principals with the Berlin Philharmonic, and that speaks volumes about their musical instinct, collectively and individually. Their sense of line is impeccable and their feeling for Reger's dreamy and sometimes mist-shrouded canvases is never off the mark. Intonation and ensemble are never in question. This is music that you will have to spend time with to really appreciate...it is unquestionably exquisite and loaded with fine moments."

- American Record Guide (Carter) July/August 2001

"...Their sense of line is impeccable and their feeling for Reger's dreamy and sometimes mist-shrouded canvases is never off the mark. Intonation and ensemble are never in question. This is music that you will have to spend time with to really appreciate...there are even passages that may find their way to the deepest recesses of your memory - most notably the scherzo of the quintet and the exquisite slow movement of the quartet."

- American Record Guide(Michael Carter) July/August 2001

"Naxos has also been active in the realms of chamber music, most memorably with works by Max Reger. The opening of Reger's 1909 E flat major quartet is characteristic, with its aching modulations and long-breath phrases. The breadth and expressive intensity of the slow movement is offset by a fugal finale, all nine minutes of it, and a fine display of Regerian wit and contrapuntal ingenuity. But for many people the real draw of the CD will be the lovely Clarinet Quintet of 1915, wistful music soaked in Reger's very individual brand of chromaticism, which is sympathetically performed by the clarinettist Wenzel Fuches with the members of the Philharmonia Quartett Berlin."

- The Independent (Rob Cowan) April 13, 2001

" The earliest work on this disc is the String Quartet in E flat Major Op. 109 written in 1909. It is one of five such works from the composer's mature years. The emphasis is on argument and debate between the voices. Much of the writing seems to be sparse. There is much chromatic musing. However, the warmth in these pages is never far away. Often the music is exploring a dichotomy between aggression and lyricism. The composer uses frequent changes of tempo to highlight this argument.

"The slow movement, the Larghetto is particularly attractive. Here we have chordal accompaniment of melody as opposed to contrapuntal development. The quartet ends with an excellent fugue that eventually becomes a double fugue of sorts. A fine conclusion to an extremely attractive work. The piece became a favourite of string quartet groups playing before the First World War. Many of these players had sidelined Reger after the production of the String Quartet Op. 74 of 1903. This earlier work was seen to be pushing the boundaries of acceptable avant-garde too far.

"The second work on this CD is the Clarinet Quintet in A major Op. 146 that was composed by the composer in 1915. It was the last major work to be written before his death in 1916. In fact he died only four days after posting the completed manuscript to his publisher, Simrock... The texture of this chamber work is its chief glory. There is a fusion of string tone and reed tone. It is not a clarinet solo with string quartet accompaniment. The five parts are woven together with a consummate skill...

"The Clarinet Quintet is a retrospective work; not only of Max Reger's career but also for the trajectory of music from Bach to Brahms and beyond. Autumnal colours, yes; but hope springs eternal. This is a beautifully produced CD. It has a full 72 minutes of music. Two of Reger's most attractive works are presented on the one disc.

"The clarinettist is Wenzel Fuchs; he is a master of his instrument. He is well able to produce the vast range of dynamics that the Clarinet Quintet demands. But that is to be expected. A brief perusal of his career details reveals that he has played for both the Vienna State Opera and the Philharmonic Orchestra from the same city. He now plays with two chamber groups in Berlin. When not actually playing he teaches and gives masterclasses. The Philharmonic Quartet has played world-wide. It has a huge repertoire that ranges from the classics to modern.

"This CD allows listeners to hear a fine recording of two of Reger's late, retrospective works. They are full of structure, emotion, warmth and beauty. An excellent introduction to listeners new to this composer's chamber music. An even better disc for those already convinced by the unique sound world of Max Reger."

- MusicWeb.uk.net (John France)

"Although Max Reger's organ works are considered to be extremely important to the repertoire, the rest of his music is often ignored by both performers and consumers. His chamber music is a very special part of his vast output, and perhaps this recording will expose new listeners to some of its charms. The Clarinet Quintet is melodically strong, a reflection of Reger's consistently kind treatment of the clarinet. Berlin Philharmonic lead clarinetist Wenzel Fuchs shines alongside his colleagues, themselves principal string players of the orchestra performing here under the guise of the Philharmonia Quartett Berlin. Needless to say, their playing is excellent and idiomatic throughout.

"One of the main problems in interpreting Reger's music is the difficulty in phrasing and maintaining the melodic line. Modulations often come out of nowhere, and the Quintet is no exception. The three contrasting sections of the first movement give ample evidence of the difficulties performers encounter, as gentle flowing melody alternates with abrupt, agitated chords. Happily, all five musicians know exactly what they are doing here as they easily move through each tricky, elided cadence. Hearing Fuchs' deliciously sighing clarinet at the end of the finale alone is worth the (budget) price of the disc. The only recorded competition for the Quintet is a hard-to-find Camerata recording by the great Karl Leister (Fuchs' predecessor in Berlin) with the Vienna Quartet. This new one is interpretively stronger, and the sound is substantially better."

- ClassicsToday.com (David Preiser)

"The earliest work on this disc is the String Quartet in E flat Major Op. 109 written in 1909. It is one of five such works from the composer's mature years. The emphasis is on argument and debate between the voices. Much of the writing seems to be sparse. There is much chromatic musing. However, the warmth in these pages is never far away. Often the music is exploring a dichotomy between aggression and lyricism. The composer uses frequent changes of tempo to highlight this argument.

"The slow movement, the Larghetto is particularly attractive. Here we have chordal accompaniment of melody as opposed to contrapuntal development. The quartet ends with an excellent fugue that eventually becomes a double fugue of sorts. A fine conclusion to an extremely attractive work.

"The piece became a favourite of string quartet groups playing before the First World War. Many of these players had sidelined Reger after the production of the String Quartet Op. 74 of 1903. This earlier work was seen to be pushing the boundaries of acceptable avant-garde too far.

"The second work on this CD is the Clarinet Quintet in A major Op. 146 that was composed by the composer in 1915. It was the last major work to be written before his death in 1916. In fact he died only four days after posting the completed manuscript to his publisher, Simrock. ...The texture of this chamber work is its chief glory. There is a fusion of string tone and reed tone. It is not a clarinet solo with string quartet accompaniment. The five parts are woven together with a consummate skill...

"This is a beautifully produced CD. It has a full 72 minutes of music. Two of Reger's most attractive works are presented on the one disc."

- musicweb.uk.net (John France) April, 2001

"Although Max Reger's organ works are considered to be extremely important to the repertoire, the rest of his music is often ignored by both performers and consumers. His chamber music is a very special part of his vast output, and perhaps this recording will expose new listeners to some of its charms. The Clarinet Quintet is melodically strong, a reflection of Reger's consistently kind treatment of the clarinet. Berlin Philharmonic lead clarinetist Wenzel Fuchs shines alongside his colleagues, themselves principal string players of the orchestra performing here under the guise of the Philharmonia Quartett Berlin. Needless to say, their playing is excellent and idiomatic throughout.

"One of the main problems in interpreting Reger's music is the difficulty in phrasing and maintaining the melodic line. Modulations often come out of nowhere, and the Quintet is no exception. The three contrasting sections of the first movement give ample evidence of the difficulties performers encounter, as gentle flowing melody alternates with abrupt, agitated chords. Happily, all five musicians know exactly what they are doing here as they easily move through each tricky, elided cadence. Hearing Fuchs' deliciously sighing clarinet at the end of the finale alone is worth the (budget) price of the disc. The only recorded competition for the Quintet is a hard-to-find Camerata recording by the great Karl Leister (Fuchs' predecessor in Berlin) with the Vienna Quartet. This new one is interpretively stronger, and the sound is substantially better."

- ClassicsToday.com (David Preiser) February 16, 2001