Andrew Brownell plays Hummel: Fantasie in E-flat, Op. 18

[@alanclifford1337]

Fantastic Fantasie! What a magnificent performance of a magnificent work. Andrew has done Hummel proud. A Hummel fan since 1987, and having heard many since then, this is the perfect performance of the composer's Opus 18 I've been waiting for. No wonder Hummel wowed his audiences as he did. Absolutely superb!

[@AABrownell]

Very kind of you, thanks!

[@alanclifford1337]

@@AABrownell You played it superbly. Thanks again.

[@paul7606]

a wonderful work for piano.

[@edwardclark2210]

This is a truly inspired performance from beginning to end. Beautiful in all respects. This work by Hummel is unknown to most pianists, and rarely, if ever, performed. Hummel's music has just recently received more exposure and is finally becoming recognized for its greatness. Historically, there is no other work that compares to this Fantasy in length and scope when it was written (c. 1805), not even anything by Beethoven. It is one single movement with the duration of 25 minutes and a complex structure that encompasses and compresses three traditional sonata movements within its form, as well as a very complex development of motives and themes. It also contains a brilliant, innovative pianistic style far ahead of its time that obviously influenced Chopin and other later romantic composers. This is truly one of the great piano solo pieces of the 19th century. Much appreciation to Mr. Brownell for giving it to us with such a magnificent performance.

[@AABrownell]

Very kind -- thanks!

[@williametheridge1764]

I hear you brother!

[@williametheridge1764]

brilliant

[@antoniavignera2339]

Formidabile .Grazie per aver dato la possibilità di ascoltare il grande Hummel eseguito magistralmente sinceri complimenti.

[@improvy]

Thank you for playing this unique piece!

[@CH-jv5ef]

bravo! a wonderful performance of this incredible and quite singular piece of piano literature! It is not only technically highly demanding but also very hard to shape in a convincing dramaturgical line. Respect!

[@manuelbes]

I like it

[@garygreen3845]

I have always loved his playing!

[@trandinhnamanh]

You got my heart! And tears! What an "anti - Lang Lang" !!!

[@AABrownell]

Thanks!

[@antoniavignera2339]

I miei complimenti, che entusiasmo ascoltare questo bravissimo pianista.

[@AABrownell]

Grazie!!

[@ivanrashid7429]

Best version of op.18 ever. Live performance is a plus, but next time I suggest longer socks 😊

[@AABrownell]

Thanks for your kind comments. Also, I have worked hard this summer to get a tan on my legs...

[@marcorval]

I. Lento II. Allegro con fuoco 3:10 III. Larghetto e con espressione 9:27 IV. Allegro assai 18:06

[@marcorval]

I like to imagine that Hummel, intimidated by Beethoven (the only pianist who could match him and unbeaten in Vienna's musical contests), wrote this to prove that he could step to the Bonn master's game. At around the very same era, Beethoven wrote the Waldstein.

[@stuartmclaren2402]

Yes a very moving performance. While I like Hummel's music I had not enjoyed this work as much as the other works not until I heard this performance. Still as it is written in Sonata form it should be included with Hummel's excellent other sonatas. Sadly one masterpiece, the Great Fantasie Effusio Musica by Kalkbrenner would be famous if by a well known composer. Yet remains unknown with only one old vinyl record ever made of this work. Perhaps Mr Brownhill or an artist of his standing will champion first class works like this as well.

[@AABrownell]

Mr. Brownell will look into it!

[@stuartmclaren2402]

@@AABrownell Thanks I have been trying to buy a digital remastered file of this Fantasie recorded by the late Mary Louse Boehm. Her performance is excellent (as are her recordings of Hummel's Etudes and Kalkbrenner's 2nd Piano Concerto) . Even through the you tube upload is not so good, the authoritative comments posted speak for themselves. The score is on IMSLP but needs cleaning up or retyped.