Hummel Note
Research notes of composer Hummel
The life of Johann Nepomuk Hummel
4. As Haydn's successor
This period gave him valuable experience in sacred and theatrical music, and he ran orchestras and opera houses and took care of the affairs of large musical groups. It is also fortunate that it is close to Vienna, and has established a firm foothold in this music capital.
Hummel's composing talentEsterhazyDuring his eight years at the residence, he made innovative developments in the fields of choral and religious music, responding to the demands of the court for new works.
Excellent musicians were gathered in the band here, and they had a 100-person orchestra and singers. Partly because of Haydn's training, it was well known in Vienna as an orchestra that performed at a high level.
Interestingly, Adam Liszt was the second cellist of the orchestra when Hummel was Kapellmeister. He is the father of Franz Liszt, born in 1812.
Hummel's first job was in 1803 to organize concerts at the Vienna Palace. One of the pieces performed at these concerts at that time was the famous Trumpet Concerto in E major. Written to take advantage of the virtuosity of the contemporary master Anton Weidinger, it was premiered in Vienna on New Year's Day 1804 by Weidinger.
Hummel's music, with Mozart-influenced structures and melodies, thundered with light allegro sounds of the height of the Viennese classical period. Furthermore, in the third movement, perhaps aiming to appeal to the audience, the theme of a popular modern march from Cherubini's opera, which was a hit at the time, was picked up to enliven the finale.
The piece was received with admiration by Esterházy and the Viennese audience.
Hummel was given an annual salary of 1200 Gulden and lodgings in Eisenstaedt. In addition to composing and conducting a chapel orchestra of about 100 members, his duties included teaching the choirboys to play the piano, violin and cello, and organizing Haydn-related papers. But it didn't go smoothly. All the work at Hummel's Esterházy house was divided, and there were many areas where he didn't have authority, so he couldn't bring this orchestra together well. In particular, Haydn, who had worked here since 1766 and was loved by his predecessor, was modest, diplomatic, and methodical, so it seems that Hummel's work was not highly evaluated in comparison. In terms of division of responsibility, Fuchs was empowered in the choir, and he was 50 years younger than Haydn, and his attitude showed his clumsiness and dissatisfaction with his new role.
On the other hand, because he was a popular performer, he was approached from all over Europe and wanted to take a vacation and go on a concert tour, but he was dissatisfied with the fact that it was difficult to get permission.
As an aside, he is fat for a young man, but despite his appearance, he is a person who plays splendidly. It is said that Prince Nicholas of Esterházy was dissatisfied with Hummel's activities, even though he was also his employer. This Hummel's attitude clearly differed from Handon's submissiveness.
Prince Nicolas, on the other hand, was satisfied with Hummel's line of work. It was a mass composed by him. The performance of Mass' new song is one of the traditions started by Handong to commemorate the Prince's wife's naming day. For this traditional event, Hummel left five masses, all of which were rigorous grand masses including counterpoint in the tradition of Haydn and Mozart, and Prince Nicholas was very satisfied with this work. It is said that
◆ Mass in B-flat major, Op77 Chapter 1 "Kyrie"
Prince Nicholas commissioned Beethoven, who was as famous as Hummel, to compose a Mass, which was premiered in 1807 (Mass in C major, Op.80). Upon hearing this, Prince Nicholas apparently did not like Beethoven's work, and apparently said, "Dear Beethoven, what is this piece of yours?" Hummel, who was next to him, had a "bitter smile" at this remark, but Beethoven became furious and abused Hummel's attitude. This was Beethoven's mistake, thinking that Hummel had ridiculed the work in line with the Prince.
Beethoven then said:
"Johann, I'm disappointed in you. Your employer seems to have a great taste in music, but I can only say it's bad taste. Do you agree with that?"
At one point, he was involved in one of his duties, which was related to organizing Haydn's works, and was slandered that Hummel had sold the publishing rights to Haydn's 42 canons, which the Lord had treasured. Although this accusation later turned out to be groundless, it seems to have been nothing more than an expression of dissatisfaction and envy of Hummel as the much-loved successor to Haydn.
Partly because of this, he gradually became absorbed in writing works for Vienna. Hummel was commissioned to provide music for operas, plays and ballets for theaters in Vienna. He was a popular composer. Also, his father, Johannes, was the music director at Vienna's famous Apollo Saal at this time, and was constantly asking his son to compose dances. The collection of dance music for Apollosard is as many as six pieces, and it is also the period when many other dance music such as minuet were composed. These facts were perceived as neglecting his original duties with the Esterházy Orchestra. Naturally.
Finally, after a Christmas concert in 1808, Prince Nicholas dismissed Hummel for "lack of preparation" and dismissed him. However, Haydn's arbitration soon overturned the dismissal, and he was reinstated. However, in a state where he was restricted from writing the work and music he wanted, he was working as if to suppress himself, but it was not likely to last long, and eventually he would follow the same path. Condemned again in May 1811, Hummel tried to petition to withdraw, but this time it was not overturned.
This period gave him valuable experience in sacred and theatrical music, and he ran orchestras and opera houses and took care of the affairs of large musical groups. It is also fortunate that it is close to Vienna, and has established a firm foothold in this music capital. After returning to Vienna, he returned to composing and performing.