Hummel Note
Research notes of composer Hummel
The life of Johann Nepomuk Hummel
1. Childhood and life with Mozart
Encounter with Mozart, his mentor for life, and become his apprentice.
It was a precious and important two years, during which Mozart lived in his home at the peak of his life, took lessons, saw his life, saw him compose, and talked with him for the first time in order to inherit that spirit.
Johann Nepomuk Hummel (hereinafter referred to as Johann) was born on November 14, 1778 in the Hungarian city of Pressburg (now the capital of the Slovak Republic: Bratislava), located about 80 km east of Vienna.
His father, Johannes Hummel, a musician, had just married his wife, Margarete, who was three years older than him, four months before Johann was born.
Father Johannes was sent to Vienna to study abroad by Kaspar, the father of a businessman (Johann's grandfather), and began studying music. After that, Johannes became an excellent violinist, and at the age of 24 he became the music director of the New Theater.
At that time, Johannes was working as a music director in Wartburg (a town next to Pressburg), but he decided to aim for a better workplace and environment, and one year after Johann's birth, he moved to Prague with his family.
They soon sensed that their young son had a special talent for music. At the age of four, Johann learned to play the violin, then gradually began piano lessons and singing lessons directly from his father. Johann's talent was astonishing, and at the age of 7 he was a pianist who could play a wide variety of pieces.
In 1786, in Vienna, the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, his father Johannes formed a duo in Mozart's "The Magic Flute".Schikanedermanaged byTheater Auf der WiedenI had the opportunity to participate as a music director in the work of
Johann was a child prodigy. At the age of 3, he is said to have shown more ability than most children twice that age. His ability exceeded his educational level, and his father, Johannes, who wanted to do something about Johann's talent, saw this job in Vienna as an opportunity and moved to Vienna with his family. It was a time when Mozart's genius was flourishing and there was an extraordinary frenzy.
Perhaps it was Schikaneder's introduction, but soon after coming to Vienna, he got acquainted with Mozart. And his father Johannes seems to have told Mozart about the musical talent of his son Johann. Mozart told Johannes, "If there is such a child, I would definitely like to see him, so please bring him next time."
He immediately took Johann to Mozart's apartment.
At that time, Mozart was extremely busy with playing the piano and composing opera, but he listened to Johann's performance carefully. It seems that Johann performed 7 songs.
Mozart was amazed and impressed by Johann's talent. And then Johannes heard words he never thought he would.
"Johannes, your son's talent is great. He will soon become a top performer. Until then, I will take care of him. Oh, you don't have to pay for lessons. Johann will be with us." I want you to live with me and always be by my side.
Lessons with Mozart were much more than just a piano teacher and student.
Mozart played his own work, and Johann also played it. Johann is also experienced as an assistant at concerts, sometimes playing duets at individual gatherings. Johann studied Mozart's playing techniques firsthand and penetrated the understanding of music, structure, form, the basics of composition, and the spirit of Mozart.
In particular, when preparing for Don Giovanni's composition, it seems that he played it as accompaniment for many singers' lessons. In this way, rather than being a disciple, he is a convenient assistant to Mozart, who is short of manpower.
However, the fact that many celebrities and musicians gathered at Mozart's house was an irreplaceable experience for Johann, and it must have been fertile.DittersdorforvanhalAnd it was precisely because they were in and out of the Mozart family that they were treated so well by Haydn, who would later become their great teacher.
It seems that Mozart was playing bowling and billiards while discussing music, discussing events in the music world, and criticizing music, and that Johann was also there. Mozart wanted to teach that there is a lot to learn from there.
And during that time, I witnessed the heyday of Mozart, who produced masterpieces one after another.
It was a valuable experience that was indispensable for Johann. No one else has penetrated the spirit of Mozart so far.
In this way, two years passed in a busy life in the Mozart family. Mozart's circumstances were changing, and political unrest was compounding his financial situation. Mozart's father, Leopold, died, and when Mozart's son was born, Mozart proposed that Johann become independent.
In 1788, Mozart promised Johannes and Johann success and proposed a big concert tour to Europe, telling them about the successes and failures he had experienced.
Johannes made plans for a trip to Europe with Johann, following his instructions and suggestions. And we will implement it. The journey continued for four years, and Johann returned to Vienna as a celebrity.