In June, Reger finishes the preliminary teachers’ college with an excellent certificate. At his father’s request, he subjects himself successfully for the Royal teachers’ college in Amberg in August, yet attempts to put through his intention to become a musician. In dealing with his father, he finds support from Adalbert Lindner and the Weiden-born opera singer Wilhelmine Mayer.

Reger follows Hugo Riemanns’s advice and writes chamber music (cf. Riemann’s letter of 26 November 1888 to Adalbert Lindner), including a String Quartet in D minor (WoO II/2), which is submitted to the scholar for assessment. He also sends the quartet, together with a Largo in D major for piano trio (WoO II/3) to Josef Rheinberger, then professor of composition at the Akademie der Tonkunst, who attests to Reger “sufficient talent” for a musical career “in spite of immaturity”¹. Supported by the continuous intercession of Lindner, Riemann and ultimately also his mother, Reger succeeds in his wish to become a musician against his father’s objections.