Hummel - Piano Concertos

[hummel]

Hi,

I was wondering whether anybody out there is familiar with any of Hummel's Piano Concertos?

I only know op. 85 and 89 (played by Hough) which are the "more famous" ones. I must admit, that I admire them a great deal and even prefer them to most of the Piano Concerto written by Mozart, Beethoven as well as the two Chopin Concertos! The style of the Hummel concertos is a truly amazing mix of Classical and Romantic music incorporating some Liszt/Czerny-etude-like passagework (double notes etc.).

Stephen Hough said that these Concertos were among the most demanding he had ever played and so were they for the orchestra. Do you agree, that they are really that hard? (for the sheet music, see: https://www.piano.ru/hummel.html)

Does anyone know the lesser known Piano Concertos op. 36, 73, 110, 113 or op. posth. 1? Can you observe a gradual turning from Classical to Romantic music by analyzing this series of concertos? In fact, his concerto for violin and piano op. 17 is very much Mozart-like and a real contrast to op. 85 and 89.

Can anybody explain, how it was possible that such a renowned composer as Hummel was during his lifetime could fall into oblivion? He is said to have had a very pleasant and successful life and he died being a wealthy man. Could this be the reason for his low name recognition? And finally, why is his most well-known work the Trumpet Concerto? Although I find this a lovely piece, it stands well behind the Piano Concertos op. 85 and 89 in terms of splendor and deepness.

I'm very excited to read your opinion!

Best,
Hummel

[jre58591]

i agree. hummel's piano concertos (especially opp 85,89) are very difficult, and are very difficult for that period. also, i have heard a few of the lesser-known hummel concertos, namely the a major (s4/w24), op post 1, and op 110. i have also heard a few other piano/orchestra works such as the theme and variations op 97 and also his concerto for piano and violin op 17. i have noticed that surprisingly, op 85 and 89 are the most romantic sounding and most unique. this might explain why they are very well known. the op post 1 in f major, which was his last piano concerto, sounds very classical to me, but with a few hints of romanticism. i find this a bit odd, for it should have been the most romantic because of when it was written. his op 17 concerto is the most classical, which is very logical. overall, i do not see a gradual turning from classical to romantic. nevertheless, i will continue to love his piano concertos.

[hummel]

Thanks,  jre58591, you for your reply!

Based on the short excerpts I heard from his other piano concertos (on amazon, cdnow etc.), I agree with your statement that there seems to be no continuity in the development of his style, which is also really peculiar to me.  Do you think that I should give them a real try, all the same?

What I like most in op. 89 is the fact that the "mood" of the piece changes (throughout all three movements) rapidly from scary to serene in order to disrupt in some emotional release (in mov. 3). Even though the finales of the op. 85 mov. 1 and 3 are even more amazing then the one of op. 89, I slightly prefer the letter concerto as a whole because of its richness of various tempers.

It is unbelievable that these concertos which have received unanimously posivite ratings/reviews on https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/B000000AFD/104-7569942-1835905 are virtually unknown to many professional musicians (pianists).

In contrast to other underrated composers, such as Alkan, Medtner, which are generate heavy discussion in this forum, Hummels was no obscure figure. On the contrary, he is said to have been a (pre-)Liszt of his period!
So nowadays, when a lot of semi-obscure but great composers are given a "second chance", I cannot understand that Hummel, whose oeuvre contains some gems and splendid pieces for the - let's say - average public, gets so little acclaim. Are there any theorists out there who consider that Hummel's piano concertos are of low musical quality or something like this?

[monsieurrenard]

Just a random tidbit: Liszt sightread the Hummel concerto in B minor when he was 11.

I truly love the Hummel concertos. It's too bad they aren't that well known, because they are very beautiful.

-Monsieur Le Renard.

[hummel]

Liszt was a genious!

(Although I doubt that this means that he was able to play flawlessly and at speed).

[hummel]

Oh, by the way... I was just listening to the following excerpt of the Concerto posth. 1 (https://www.belairmusic.com/bam2011.htm#bottom) and I thought that the melody bears a striking resemblence to certain slower and lyrical parts of Alkan's Concerto for Solo Piano! What do you think?

[jre58591]

Oh, by the way... I was just listening to the following excerpt of the Concerto posth. 1 (https://www.belairmusic.com/bam2011.htm#bottom) and I thought that the melody bears a striking resemblence to certain slower and lyrical parts of Alkan's Concerto for Solo Piano! What do you think?

hmm, i dont see the resemblance much, except that they are both in 3/4 time.

[presto agitato]

Jus for the Record: The great Cesar Franck played Hummel´s Concerto Op 85 when he was 15. 

[exigence]

I have that CD you're talking about - absolutely amazing stuff. I LOVE the first and third to Op. 85; talk about beautiful pianism (imo).

I also have the score to it thanks to a kind soul here on the forum, and yes, I would say that it poses its difficulties. Maybe not an OC, but it's not chopsticks.

[cygnusdei]

As of now I think all of Hummel's piano concertos have been recorded, to the credit of Howard Shelley and Chandos records. There are eight concertos, plus one concertino, one concerto for piano and violin, and a handful of other piano and orchestra works. Hummel's music is often accused of not having 'memorable melodies'. This is probably true to a varying extent, but actually it is Hummel's strength as well, for his music seems to never 'get old', as if you are listening for the first time, every time.

Several highlights: the first concerto in C could have been an alternate version of Beethoven's own concerto in the same key: the first movement is very similar in spirit and style, down to the quasi glissando in the orchestral tutti and piano figurations. The Op. posth. 1 in F has a killer first movement with very bold and florid piano writing. But the concerto for violin and piano is simply inspired. It showcases Hummel's genius of developing the most mundane, even silly themes into a well-crafted, persuasive narration that by the end of the piece you won't think they're mundane or silly at all.

That said, I think it will be awhile before these concertos get regular billings in concert halls. Think about 2028 (Hummel's 250th birthday annivesary) and 2037 (200th death anniversary)!