Hummel Edition Coffret 20 CD

Description

A student of Mozart, a protégé of Haydn, a rival but great friend of Beethoven, Johann Nepomuk Hummel (1778–1837) is renowned throughout Europe as one of the greatest pianists of his time, a sought-after pedagogue and teacher. A distinguished virtuoso of the 19th century, author of an influential treatise on the art of piano playing, he himself composed over three hundred works covering all musical repertoires, except for the symphony. In this beautiful 20CD edition, Brilliant Classics provides a welcome insight into this prolific and unjustly neglected composer, with a large section dedicated to his solo piano pieces, a rich selection of chamber music, and numerous concertante works. Although he was not a symphonist (he did not wish to compete in this field with the undeniable genius of his friend Beethoven), Hummel demonstrates great talent and ease with the orchestra, as evidenced by his multiple concertos for piano, violin (unfinished, completed by the conductor-composer Gregory Rose), mandolin, bassoon, or trumpet, one of his most acclaimed scores. On Haydn's recommendation, Hummel obtained the position of Konzertmeister at the court of Prince Esterhazy in Eisenstadt. This marked the beginning of a very troubled and unproductive period for him. Fiercely independent, he found it difficult to adapt to the manners and political games of the court. However, he composed a beautiful body of sacred music during this time—represented here by a Te Deum, a solemn mass, the offertory "Alma Virgo," and the oratorio "Der Durchzug durchs rote Meer" for soloists, choir, and orchestra—as well as several dramatic works, including the opera "Mathilde von Guise." A complete and well-documented edition to discover a fascinating composer.