Hummel Note
Research notes of composer Hummel
The life of Johann Nepomuk Hummel
3. Return to Vienna and Beethoven
The relationship between Beethoven and Hummel, who were good friends, was estranged due to many fights along the way, but it is a definite fact that it lasted until Beethoven's death, a miracle in the history of music.
The Hummels returned to life and began settling in Vienna in the spring of 1793. Johann isAntonio SalierioralbrechtsbergerI learned the necessary knowledge and theory as a composer, such as chorus, harmony, and counterpoint. Salieri and Albrechtsberger lived in Vienna earlier in this periodbeethovenHe also taught, and he was exactly the same as Hummel, and it seems that he had the opportunity to get to know each other during this period. Haydn taught him many things about the organ, but Haydn told Hummel, "You are blessed with a wonderful talent as a piano player. Refrain from training as it may adversely affect your piano performance."
Composing music became more and more important for Hummel, but after Mozart's death, the culture of piano performances flourished, and listening to the performances of piano masters was a big boom in Vienna at this time. .
Beethoven and Hummel competed for the premier position among Viennese pianists and regularly gave concerts to each other. They also went to each other's concerts and exchanged opinions and critiques. Hummel was still a teenager, but Beethoven was eight years older than Hummel. He had already had many patrons, including charity concerts for Mozart's widows and socializing with many of the bourgeoisie. What's more, he didn't insist on getting a job, and was trying to raise his status as an artist.
As soon as Beethoven published a string quartet, Hummel also published it, and the relationship was always conscious. In Vienna at the time, these two were at the top not only of their performances, but also of their published works, and their piano trios were among the most popular works. It can be said that Hummel's reputation as a composer was rather higher. This relationship of good rivals and good friends who stimulated each other had a period of estrangement due to many fights along the way (most of which were unilaterally declared severance from Beethoven's side), but the relationship continued until Beethoven's death. It is a sure fact, a miracle in the history of music.
String Quartet No. 2 in G major, 1st movement (1804)
(From Three String Quartets, Op.30)
Hummel recognized early on the enormous talent of Beethoven. And while he had a sense of respect for his talent, he soon lost confidence. Beethoven's new works were full of novelty and talent, and had a uniqueness not found in other composers. His symphonies, in particular, were unrivaled and reigned as a giant piece of art. Hummel was a later pupil:Ferdinand Hillerwas telling the following:
“I wasn’t sure if I should follow in the footsteps of a talent like Beethoven. I didn’t know what I could do. no. I just have to be myself, be true to myself and be honest.” (From Hiller's memoirs).
Be yourself...
Hummel never wrote a single symphony.
In 1803, at the age of 24, Hummel became Kapellmeister of the Stuttgart Orchestra on the recommendation of Haydn. However, the position was not satisfactory to both parties, and the contract was terminated after just one year. Haydn in turn immediately recommended him to his own employer, Count Nicholas Esterházy, as concertmaster.
The director of the Vienna Court Theater also invited him to work, but in the end on April 1, 1804, he signed a contract as the head musician of Prince Esterházy. This was, in effect, the position of Kapellmeister, and although Haydn was still Kapellmeister in his previous position, due to physical problems, he was only enrolled as an honorary post.
At this grand palace, about 50km south of Vienna, there was a mountain of work to be done, such as managing the orchestra, maintenance, training, arrangement of scores, presentation of new works and concerts. Unable to fulfill his duties, he was looking for a good musician to replace him. In addition to Hummel, Haydn took on these jobs as vice-rector Fuchs, second concertmaster Tomasini .