Johann Nepomuk Hummel

From Wind Repertory Project

Biography

Johann Nepomuk Hummel (born 1778 in Bratislava in what is modern-day Slovakia) was an Austrian composer. He was a child prodigy and a pupil of Clementi, Mozart, and Salieri, becoming one of the most brilliant virtuoso pianist-composers of his generation (in fact he was regarded by Chopin as the equal of Mozart and Beethoven). His pupils included Mendelssohn, Czerny, and Hiller, who in turn were teachers of Liszt, Chopin, and Schumann. In effect, Hummel’s style and teaching was to influence many composers and pianists well after his death. In 1804, at the recommendation of Haydn, Hummel became the Kapellmeister at Prince Esterhazy’s court in Eisenstadt, where he remained until 1811. He is often referred to as the last important representative of the Viennese school of piano begun by Mozart. Aside from his well-known Trumpet Concerto, Hummel’s music has been largely ignored over the past 150 years until a recent revival of interest in his works, particularly his nine piano concerti.