Reger returned to his parental home in 1898, where he composed his first work for choir and orchestra, "" (Hymn to singing), Op. 21. From 1899, he courted Elsa vonBercken who at first rejected him. He composed many songs such as "Sechs Lieder", Op. 35, on love poems by five authors. Reger moved to Munich in September 1901, where he obtained concert offers and where his rapid rise to fame began. During his first Munich season, Reger appeared in ten concerts as an organist, chamber pianist and accompanist. Income from publishers, concerts and private teaching enabled him to marry in 1902. Because his wife Elsa was a divorced Protestant, he was excommunicated from the Catholic Church. He continued to compose without interruption, for example "Gesang der Verklärten", Op. 71.