Johann Nepomuk Hummel (1778-1837) - Fotografie einer Mezzotintoradierung von Franz Wrenk nach einem Gemälde von Catharina Escherich

Johann Nepomuk Hummel's parents had soon discovered and advanced their sun's musical talent. First his father taught him playing the piano, and then Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart became Hummel's teacher. On Mozart's recommendation, the young piano virtuoso went on an extended concert tour from 1788 to 1793 through Bohemia, Germany, Denmark, and England. With his first public concert in London, which Hummel gave in 1792 when he was 14 years old, he became known as an extraordinary pianist and musical child prodigy. When returning to Vienna, Hummel continued his studies with Johann Georg Albrechtsberger and Antonio Salieri, temporarily also with Joseph Haydn. A few years later, he belonged to the leading Viennese pianists and above all, he was admired for his piano improvisations.

From 1804 to 1811, Hummel was concertmaster of the oratory of Prince Nikolaus von Esterházy in the city of Eisenstadt. After that, he settled down in Vienna for several years and gave private piano lessons. During this time, he mainly dedicated himself to composing. It was not earlier than in 1814, that he successfully returned to the concert state. After having gone on more concert tours, he was nominated leader of the court orchestra of Stuttgart. Three years later, Hummel moved to Weimar, where he worked as grand ducal bandmaster until his death.

Hummel had known Ludwig van Beethoven since around 1795, already. The relationship between the two artists however, seems to have been quite complicated at some times. Last but not least, some contemporary critics thought that Beethoven and Hummel had been antipodes when it comes to playing the piano. But in 1814, at one or more performances of Beethoven's Battle Symphony "Wellington's Victory" (op. 91), Hummel still lead the drums. And when he left Vienna in 1816, Beethoven composed the canon "Ars longa, vita brevis" (WoO 170) for him as a farewell. During Beethoven's last illness, Hummel returned to Vienna to visit the composer once again. Also, he was present at Beethoven's funeral.(S.B.)