Johann Nepomuk Hummel - Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 3 (Stephen Hough)

Information

Composer: Johann Nepomuk Hummel

1. Piano Concerto No. 2 in A minor, Op. 85: I. Allegro moderato
2. Piano Concerto No. 2 in A minor, Op. 85: II. Larghetto
3. Piano Concerto No. 2 in A minor, Op. 85: III. Rondo. Allegro moderato
4. Piano Concerto No. 3 in B minor, Op. 89: I. Allegro moderato
5. Piano Concerto No. 3 in B minor, Op. 89: II. Larghetto
6. Piano Concerto No. 3 in B minor, Op. 89: III. Finale. Vivace

Stephen Hough, piano
English Chamber Orchestra
Bryden Thomson, conductor

Date: 1987
Label: Chandos
https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%208507

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Review

The 150th anniversary of Hummel's death provides a timely spur to rescue these third and fourth of his half-dozen or so concertos from unwarranted neglect: they have, it's true, been recorded before (though not for 20 years), but previously only with damaging cuts. Even more than the piano sonatas, recently issued (Arabesque ABQ6564/6, 12/86), they illustrate the exuberant keyboard virtuosity for which Hummel was famous, and in the performance of which Stephen Hough scores a spectacular success in his record debut. He shows both delicacy and scintillating bravura without vulgar exhibitionism, and captures the ''purity and elegance'' which Czerny so praised in Hummel's own playing; and he is helped by Bryden Thomson's admirably alert accompanying and by exceptionally faithful, clean and well-balanced recording—which incidentally extends to over 66 minutes of music, even on LP.

Hummel's ideas, and his treatment of them, are often striking—note the soloist's unconventional first entry in both works—and though his form is orthodox (except for the absence of cadenzas), his orchestration is full of interest, as for instance the prominence of the quartet of horns in the Larghetto of the B minor Concerto. From the musicological point of view, part of the fascination of these works lies in their audible bridging between Hummel's teachers Mozart and Beethoven—with a solo kettledrum opening, and an echo of an Eroica theme, in the B minor—and (particularly in the florid traceries of the slow movements) his youthful admirer Chopin, and beyond him Liszt (who was taught by his pupil Czerny); but to the ordinary music-lover their outstanding qualities are their brilliance and melodiousness. In Stephen Hough's virtuosic hands, the coruscating final coda of the A minor Concerto is one of the most exciting things I've heard for years. Bravo!

-- Lionel Salter, Gramophone

More reviews:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hummel-Piano-Concertos-Johann-Nepomuk/dp/B000025S2P
http://www.amazon.com/Hummel-Piano-Concerto-Minor/dp/B000000AFD

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Johann Nepomuk Hummel (14 November 1778 – 17 October 1837) was an Austrian composer and virtuoso pianist, whose music reflects the transition from the Classical to the Romantic musical era. Hummel was taught and housed by Mozart for two years, and later studied with Albrechtsberger, Haydn and Salieri. His main oeuvre is for the piano, on which instrument he was one of the great virtuosi of his day. Later 19th century pianistic technique was influenced by Hummel, through his instruction of Carl Czerny who later taught Liszt. Hummel's influence can also be seen in the early works of Chopin and Schumann.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Nepomuk_Hummel

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Stephen Hough (born 22 November 1961) is a British-born classical pianist, composer and writer. He has appeared as a soloist with major orchestras, as recitalist on the major stages, and as chamber musician with top musicians. He is also known for his various dazzling recordings of encore pieces and for championing lesser-known composers. His recordings (more than 50 of them) received multiple awards. As a composer, he has written over 30 published pieces, and often includes his own works in his recitals. As a writer, Hough has written about his homosexuality and its relationship with both his music-making and his religion.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Hough

http://www.stephenhough.com/

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