Johann Nepomuk Hummel - Septet in D-minor, Op.74 (1816)

Picture: J.C. Dahl - Eruption of the Volcano Vesuvius
Johann Nepomuk Hummel (14 November 1778 - 17 October 1837) was an Austrian composer and virtuoso pianist. His music reflects the transition from the Classical to the Romantic musical era.
Work: Septet in D-minor, Op.74 (1816) scored for piano, flute, oboe, horn, viola, cello and double bass.
Mov.I: Allegro con spirito 00:00
Mov.II: Menuetto o Scherzo 14:00
Mov.III: Andante con variazioni 20:09
Mov.IV: Finale, Vivace 28:42
Ensemble: Solamente Naturali
Fortepiano: Aya Okuyama
Viola: Milos Valent
Flute: Lucie Duskova
Oboe: Eduard Wesly
Natural horn: Rudolf Linner
Cello: Michael Stahel
Double bass: Tibor Nagy

[@mr.sophistication2461]

Another piece that reminds me of true freedom. Simply brilliant.

[@stuartmclaren2402]

During the early days of Hummel's revival, in the 1960s along with the Trumpet Concerto, this was his best known work. It seemed to fade when his other works came on the scene. This magnificent recording where every instrument can be clearly heard especially the fortepiano brings it again to the fore. I feel sure that Czerny's magnificent Nonet was greatly influenced by this work. The one recording of Czerny's Nonet is also excellent and a worthwhile listen. Used to be on you tube but has been removed.

[@slothostpUL]

I've always loved Hummel's music: such spirit and humor. Thanks for giving me the chance to listen all of him that I wish.

[@moshenativ7172]

Beautifull muzic!!!

[@MsFrancescaF]

Beautiful rendition. Thank you.

[@CaradhrasAiguo49]

Nice pairing with the Vesuvio painting. As one may expect from Hummel's music, this septet has all the brilliant and fiery zeist of the early Romantic virtuosic pianistic style that is further developed by F. Mendelssohn and Chopin.

[@edwardhoward5525]

Fabulous piece and brilliant peformance. Don't normally like period instruments but the dry piano and the braying horn sound great in this

[@harryandruschak2843]

Thank you for your upload of this most excellent work. Of course it shows the influence of Beethoven's Septet, as do many other chamber works written by many other composers in Vienna around this time. But still a masterpiece in its own right, well worth listening to. Again, Thank you. Listening a second time on 25 July 2017

[@shijoejoseph2011]

Second movement's second half! ☺️🥰😇🤗

[@JAMESLEVEE]

The 2nd movement is Menuetto ou Scherzo: Allegro. (Ou is French for "or".)

[@kenbusch2139]

The movement names are given in Italian not French. "Menuet" not "Menuetto" is the French word for minuet. "Menuetto" is an alternative spelling in Italian, "minuetto" being more standard. Hence "o", the Italian word for "or", is indeed correct.

[@sousafan100]

I never heard anything by hummel that I didn't like :...

[@TheLifeisgood72]

I'm confused. Isn't there a timpani at the beginning of MVMT 4? It's not a listed instrument in the description and doesn't appear in any other movements.

[@TheLifeisgood72]

Upon re-listening with headphones I realize it’s not a timpani, just clever orchestration

[@rogernortman9219]

This, the A minor and B minor Piano Concerti are strong works. The rest you can throw away!

[@CaradhrasAiguo49]

"The rest" by Hummel? I adore both the E (Op 110?) and A-flat (Op 113) Piano Concerti, the Op 87 Piano Quintet (kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4rahWpuhsxsfa8). The Op 65 Piano Trio is also a delightfully sunny work under the hands of Staier, Sepac, and Queyras

[@jeanpaulchoppart6818]

The Trio for Flute, Cello and Piano op. 78 is also very beautiful.

[@DeeCeeHaich]

his violin and piano concerto op 17 is great

[@alvaromartingonzalez6256]

You must check out his Oberon's Fantasy! kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5KuqKxqd7GYodksi=Bmh2KlIIjZ4WlXu1 @rogernortman9219

[@themusicalgerbil192]

What kind of fortepiano is being used in this recording?

[@stephenfine2952]

The fortepiano has special hardened hammers that sound almost like they are plucking the keys. That is the characteristic sound of that make of piano: the "Hummel Pluncker." Not surprising his real full name was Johann Neoplunck Hummel.

[@CaradhrasAiguo49]

1817 fortepiano by Jacob Bertsche (restored by Robert Brown, Salzburg), the CD can be purchased on Amazon at www.amazon.com/Hummel-Valent-Okuyama-Solamente-Naturali/dp/B00DJJH5MU