Johann Nepomuk Hummel (1778–1837) was one of the great piano virtuosos of 19th-century Vienna – and a composer greatly admired by the towering figure of the era, Beethoven. This new release on Musical Concepts’ Alto label returns to international availability four recordings drawn from three releases first issued by pioneering indie label Vox/Turnabout. Recorded in Germany with leading Classical-era interpreters – pianist Martin Galling, bassoonist George Zukerman, and the Collegium Con Basso ensemble – this release makes this four pivotal works available together for the first time.
“Altogether this is as tempting a Hummel collection as any we know. …. [The] Op. 73 Piano Concertino, and Martin Galling [are] persuasive, helped by a very spirited backing in Berlin. … Also, La Galante, a lilting Rondo for solo piano. … [George] Zukerman and [Jörg] Faerber return for Hummel’s Bassoon Concerto, impressive [enough] to be discussed in the same breath as Mozart’s, particularly with this splendid soloist, who is deliciously jocular in the characterful finale. The disc concludes with Septet Militaire, Op. 114: the very happy finale, with its ingenious upward scale, is most felicitous.”
– Gramophone
