Johann Hummel’s Arrangements

  Mozart after Mozart”

  • Music arranged by J.N. Hummel.

Johann Nepumuk Hummel’s connection with Mozart began in 1786, when the very young Johann Nepomuk lived with the Mozart family in their home for two years. Here, the young musician participated in the public and private life of the composer, coming into direct contact with all the works that emerged during those years, which were certainly among the most fertile of Mozart’s entire career. On this recording, we hear the arrangements of two piano concertos by Mozart for four instruments: Piano, of course, plus Flute, Violin, and Cello. Mozart:

Performed by Leonardo Miucci (fortepiano), Martin Skamletz (flute), Johannes Gebauer (violin), Bruno Hurtado Gosalvez (cello) Hummel’s deep knowledge of his teacher’s works for fortepiano and orchestra is documented by many accounts: apart from witnessing the birth of several masterpieces from these years, Hummel must himself have studied these pieces on more than one occasion with his teacher, giving public performances of them, also in his presence. This recognized authority, added to the widespread approval that he personally enjoyed as a composer created the context in which Hummel produced his numerous transcriptions (approximately fifty), which are scored principally for flute, violin, cello and fortepiano. The particular historical value of these transcriptions is underscored by the opportunities offered by Hummel for the playing of improvisations, cadenzas, and embellishments for these pieces. Here is an example of these arrangements that is not included in this recording: Mozart/Hummel Symphony #40, K. 550: https://youtu.be/DyB1dUouCq8 And here is another example that is not recorded here: This transcription by Hummel of Mozart’s Romanza KV 466 is not often heard. It contains a lot of interesting ornaments that perhaps Hummel heard Mozart play. Certainly it is known that Mozart loved to improvise! The Dutch pianist Bas Verheijden is performing this piece.   https://youtu.be/RG2l64m5bbs   Tags: Mozart, Johann Nepumuk Hummel, arrangements, flute, piano, violin, cello