Max Reger - Clarinet Sonata No. 3 in B-flat major, Op. 107 / SAF Central Band • ME2 Benjamin Wong

ME2 Benjamin Wong, Co-Principal Clarinet
Nicholas Loh, Piano

Recorded live at MusoSpace on 17 May 2024.

Clarinet Sonata No. 3 in B-flat major, Op. 107 (1909) - Max Reger

Moderato (0:00)
Vivace (12:22)
Adagio (17:37)
Allegretto con grazia (vivace) (23:19)

Max Reger (1873-1916), a German composer, pianist, organist, and conductor, was one of the most prolific composers of the late Romantic period. His music is known for its complex counterpoint, lush harmonic language, and intense emotional expression. Despite being rooted in the traditions of Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms, Reger explored new harmonic territories, making his works a bridge between Romanticism and early Modernism. As one of his later works, the third sonata stands out for its lyrical beauty, structural clarity, and the way it foregrounds the clarinet's expressive capabilities. It is part of a set of three sonatas that are staples in the clarinet repertoire.

The first movement opens with a flowing, lyrical theme introduced by the clarinet. Reger’s use of chromaticism creates a rich harmonic soundscape through which the theme is elaborated and developed with the piano. This movement is characterized by a warm, pastoral quality and the intricate interplay of musical textures. The second movement provides a lively contrast to the more introspective first. It features rhythmic and playful exchanges juxtaposed with a poignant middle section. All in all, the scherzo-like character of the movement showcases the lighter and more humorous side of Reger's writing.

The third movement adds a touch of musical translucence to the sonata. The tenderness of the clarinet's melodies are supported by a sensitive and well-crafted piano accompaniment. This movement highlights Reger's gift for melody and his ability to convey deep emotion through simple, yet profound musical ideas. The fourth movement provides a lilting conclusion to the sonata. It features a dance-like main theme—reminiscent of the Ländlers from the Germanic tradition—that returns in various guises. The musical dialogue between both instruments is frivolous yet charming. But it does not take long for the themes of the preceding movements to be reintroduced, drawing the movement to a melancholic close.

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ME2 Benjamin Wong is Co-Principal Clarinet of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Central Band. He re-enlisted in 2023 with a Master of Arts in the Humanities from the University of Chicago and a Master of Music from King’s College London. He performs regularly with homegrown ensembles such as the Metropolitan Festival Orchestra, the Orchestra of the Music Makers, The Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Wayfarer Sinfonietta. ME2 Wong is also an avid educator in the arts. His teaching experience includes serving as a research fellow at the University of Chicago, where his work on nineteenth-century musical theater was supported by the Nicholson Graduate Digital Archival Research Grant. Prior to his appointment at the SAF Band, ME2 Wong managed student development and co-curricular learning programmes for the undergraduate and postgraduate residential community at the Nanyang Technological University.

Nicholas Loh is a widely sought-after soloist, collaborator, and educator. He graduated from the New England Conservatory with a Masters in Piano Performance specialising in contemporary piano repertoire, under the guidance of Stephen Drury. Nicholas has also worked with other leading pianists in the field including Max Levinson, Corey Hamm, and Nino Jvania. Prior to this, Nicholas obtained his Bachelor of Music from the University of Birmingham (UK) and his Post-graduate Diploma in Education from the National Institute of Education (Singapore). Nicholas’s greatest presence in the local music scene is as a collaborative pianist. He has worked with musicians from groups as diverse as the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, the Singapore Armed Forces Central Band, and the Ding Yi Music Company. Nicholas also serves as a vocal coach with the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and the principal accompanist for the horn studio at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music.