Hummel Note
Research notes of composer Hummel
The life of Johann Nepomuk Hummel
5. Success in Vienna and Marriage
Elisabeth admired Hummel's piano playing, and was saddened by the days when such a talented man was busy only composing and taking lessons. One day, she expressed concern about her husband's absence from stage activities, and advised her, "It's a waste to have someone who can play as well as you. You should definitely return to the stage."
After returning to Vienna in 1811, Hummel did not give piano performances, but was active as a composer of piano music, chamber music and drama music. At the time, his popularity and name recognition surpassed Beethoven's. Hummel would continue such a busy life for four years after returning to Vienna to focus on his original activities as a musician, such as performing and composing.
In 1812, when Elisabeth was 19, she met Elisabeth Reckeer, the sister of the famous singer Joseph Reckeer, who played the role of Florestan in Beethoven's opera Leonore in 1806. . Hummel proposed to this young singer with a beautiful voice and good looks, and in the following year, 1813, when Elisabeth was 20 years old, they were married.
This again resulted in conflict with Beethoven. It is said that Beethoven had long admired Elizabeth's talent and was in love with her. There is also a theory that the letter "To the Immortal Beloved" of unknown address in Beethoven's belongings was addressed to this Elizabeth.
*Please refer to the previous article on this subject.
Is "for Elise" really "for Elizabeth"?
Some biographers say that Beethoven also proposed to her. In any case, there is no doubt that he also had feelings for her. But Beethoven also had Miss Brentano, and in the end Elisabeth chose Hummel over Beethoven. At that time, there was no feeling of either being great, but rather Hummel was evaluated highly, and Beethoven was evaluated as a different genius. Therefore, when looking at whether it was the right choice to lead a "happy life," this choice was never wrong, but rather the right choice. Of course, Elisabeth could not have disliked Beethoven, and there is no doubt that she had great respect for him, including his talent.
For example, in 1813 Hummel served as percussionist at a festival where Beethoven conducted the War Symphony (*). It shows that their friendship continued.
(*) In 1813, with Napoleon's defeat, Beethoven's Wellington Victory Celebration was played. Hummel was part of the orchestra formed for the premiere in December 1813, and was a friendly participant. Others included Salieri, Spoor, Meyerbeer and Moscheles.
However, Hummel's four-hand arrangement of the Fidelio Overture did not satisfy Beethoven, so he tore it up and left the task of completing the piano score to Moscheles. The gap between the calligraphic styles of these two Viennese darlings was now very wide.
Overture from the opera "Princess in a Donkey's Skin" which was a big hit at the time
Hummel's fame and activity as a composer along with his marriage to ElisabethI was on the road to fulfillment.
During this time, Hummel had two sons.
The eldest son Eduard later became a pianist, the second soncurlbecame a painter.Carl laterChopin's sketchwill also be written. However, this “professional compositionYoung wives make history at a time when they are about to reach their peak as "homes"Advice will be given to Hummel.
Carl (left) and Eduard
Elisabeth admired Hummel's piano playing, and was saddened by the days when such a talented man was busy only composing and taking lessons. One day, she expressed concern that her husband was away from stage activities,
"It's a waste to have someone who can play like you. You should definitely return to the stage."
I advised him.
With that advice, Hummel returned to stage activities, but the Vienna Congress was held from 1814 to 1815, and dignitaries and aristocrats from all over the world gathered in Vienna, so Hummel's performance was well received. It gained popularity and became a specialty.
It is said that he was invited to the party of the Vienna Conference and received a tremendous shock and applause. The performance at this time is the composerSpohr(Luis Spohr) in his memoirs.
"His performance was disciplined, graceful, glittering, and splendid. In particular, he took the theme of the waltz that had just been played, repeated improvisational variations, and finished with a brilliant coda. It was amazing."
Beethoven, on the other hand, had to stay away from performing activities due to an ear disease, and decided to concentrate more on composing. On the contrary, Hummel returned to the music world as a master of the piano. From this period onwards, Hummel's composing activities began to focus on his own piano works for concerts.
Immediately, Hummel and his wife embarked on a concert tour that included Trieste, Pressburg and Prague. In January 1816, he returned to Vienna and premiered one of his masterpieces, "Septet in D Minor, Op.74", which was very well received.
in Prague,Carl Maria von WeberIt was a big shock to Weber who met with and listened to the piano recital. Weber himself was a Vartoso of the piano, but he became famous in the field of theater music. Hummel also appreciated Weber's talent, arranging his works, composing fantasies and orchestral works using his themes, and paying tribute to the end.
Hummel was convinced by this tour, which he followed on Elisabeth's advice. What is your position as a master musician, and how do you conduct activities to express yourself?
Thus, the competition in the same arena as Beethoven came to an end.