Hummel Note
Research notes of composer Hummel
The life of Johann Nepomuk Hummel
11. The Last Decade and Death
Encounter with Chopin, last concert trip, absence from concerts, and illness. . .
About Hummel's last years and his belongings.
After the death of Archduke Karl August in 1828, Karl Friedrich ruled as the new Grand Duke, but his wife, Princess Maria Pavlovna, who was an admirer of Hummel and also studied piano, took over Hummel. It was decided that a lot of support for Stromeier, the administrator who did not get along well with Hummel, was forced to retire, and the soprano Caroline Jagemann, who was a mistress of the previous generation and stayed in Weimar for a long time, also lost power. Even in this situation, Hummel continued to make suggestions and requests for improving the lives of musicians and improving the environment.
The year 1828 was also a historic encounter. This year's concert tour was relatively short, but only from Berlin to Warsaw. A young talented young man in this WarsawChopinI am meeting with
It was a time when Chopin wondered whether the opinions of the local people who evaluated him and his current music would really be accepted by many people today. And after listening to Hummel's performance, I was convinced. I thought I was right.
Hummel praised the young man's talent and told him to 'believe in yourself and carry on'. Hummel's influence can be seen in Chopin's later piano concertos. Hummel and Chopin later met again in Vienna, and this time he wrote about Hummel's friendly demeanor to his friends.
"Uncle Hummel is a very friendly and nice person."
He did not tour in 1829, but took a family holiday at a spa in Carlsbad to prepare for the year following his visit to England. In England, Hummel was invited many times, the first being in 1822. Among the members of the Philharmonic Society, Hummel was highly regarded as a virtuoso and was well known. An invitation was also received this year. Since he did not take an annual vacation in 1829, the vacation became six months in 1830, so he went to Paris and London for the first time in about 40 years.
Before going to London, Hummel stopped in Paris and held two concerts, which were very successful. In London, friends from the same country, Moscheles and Kalkbrenner, made a big advance announcement prior to the performance, creating a welcoming mood. Hummel's concerts, which included various guests, wowed the critics. Also famous soprano singers of the time:Maria MalibranHe premiered a great concerto on a Tyrolean theme for soprano and orchestra (Op.118), which he had composed at the request of a music company, and received great applause.
Hummel spent three months in London, playing for the Queen and making guest appearances for the money of Moscheles.
■ "Variations on a Tyrolean Theme" Op.118
This performance trip was Hummel's peak. After that, shadows begin to appear. In 1931 and 1933, when he stayed in London, his fame had already begun to decline. At that time, Paganini, who was at the peak of his popularity in terms of performance, overlapped with his stay, but the younger generation of pianists such as Liszt and his disciple Thalberg were already achieving success as "showmen". . In addition, it has been pointed out that Hummel's technique has declined, and because his music is classical, it seems that the impression that he was an old-fashioned classical musician (according to Liszt) has become stronger.
Nevertheless, his visit to London in 1833 was a trip to England as conductor of a German opera orchestra. Here he conducted Mozart and Weber's operas at a commemorative concert for the King and Queen of England, who were on good terms with him. As a thank you, I was invited to Windsor Castle.
Many of my concerts were canceled because there were less people than I had planned. Nevertheless, he made a guest appearance with Cramer for one concert and the Philharmonic Society, performing a new piano concerto (Op.posth.1). However, when playing Mozart's Fantasia with four hands, there was a sad happening that he got sick and stopped in the middle.
■ The song that became the last published work
Rondo "Return from London" for piano and orchestra, Op.127
This 1833 tour was his last as a performer.However, HummelHaving a position in Weimar and having less income meansI didn't. but my health is getting betterAfter 1834, almost noI am in recuperation. in good shapeI spend time gardening and playing the piano.Or sign a commemorative book for visitorswas life. but necessarycontinued his duties in Weimar.
In March 1837, his eldest son Edvard, who had become a pianist, took over his father's piano.the concertoI attended a concert where I played. This is Hummel's last concertbecame.
Hummel's health deteriorated further in the summer and he became bedridden.He died on October 17, 1837, surrounded by his family.
His funeral was held three days after his death, at which Hummel's cantatas were played.Mozart's Requiem was played at the memorial service. news of his deathIt toured all over Europe, but it was quiet compared to Beethoven's death.
This marked the end of classical music.
Weimar praised Hummel's achievements and guaranteed a large pension to his family. Hummel also left his family a large fortune. Was this a teacher who knew the life of his master Mozart? Along with his personality, he liked to live a simple life and did not waste money, and managed his assets systematically. A widowed wife: Elisabeth survived Hummel's death for 45 years, remembering her happy past with her husband.
After Hummel's death, his music was quickly forgotten. In the second half of the 19th century, the wave of Romanticism and new music pushed it into the shadow of the great masters Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven. However, Hummel's reevaluation in recent years has led to various discoveries. It can be said that we are living in a precious time when we can listen to most of his music.
