Johann Nepomuk Hummel - Piano Sonatas (Stephen Hough)

Information

Composer: Johann Nepomuk Hummel

• (01-03) Piano Sonata No. 5 in F sharp minor, Op. 81
• (04-07) Piano Sonata No. 6 in D major, Op. 106
• (08-10) Piano Sonata No. 3 in F minor, Op. 20

Stephen Hough, piano
Date: 2003
Label: Hyperion
http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/dc.asp?dc=D_CDA67390

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Review

ARTISTIC QUALITY: 10 / SOUND QUALITY: 10

The three sonatas Stephen Hough has selected for this recital not only reveal Johann Nepomuk Hummel as a plausible “missing link” between Beethoven and Chopin, but also as a formidable, creative force in his own right. Maybe he’s not so memorable a melodist as Chopin nor a protean architect on the level of Beethoven, but Hummel’s piano writing still sounds idiomatic and invigorating to modern ears. It’s also quite difficult. The F-sharp minor sonata’s dramatic finale, for instance, allows little respite from its unrelenting broken octaves, taxing runs, and double notes, while the gnarly dotted rhythms, imitative writing, and thick chords permeating the D major sonata’s Scherzo evoke the Schumann to come.

No matter how difficult the music, Stephen Hough’s effortless technique and eloquent, characterful musicality make everything sound easy. What’s more, he never sacrifices power for speed. Listen for example to the way he gives the challenging, spiraling triplets in the F minor sonata’s finale their full dynamic due, maintaining a full, tonally varied sonority with virtually no help from the sustain pedal. In sum, it will take a heap of work and tons of inspiration for future pianists to match Hough’s reference standards here. This is a valuable release and a joyous listening experience all in one: don’t miss it. [4/12/2004]

-- Jed Distler, ClassicsToday

More reviews:
http://www.classicalcdreview.com/pierne.html
https://www.amazon.com/Hummel-Piano-Sonatas-Opp-20-106/dp/B0000CE0YX

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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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