Classical to RomanticJohann Nepomuk Hummel
Johann Nepomuk Hummel was born in Bratislava, in today’s Slovakia.
Johann Nepomuk Hummel’s life
The big moments of this life, and what was happening in the world at the same time.
A life at a glance
- 1778👶 Birth
Born in Pressburg (Bratislava) on 14 November
- 1783🌍 Meanwhile
First manned flight in a hot-air balloon
- 1786📚 Trainingage 8
Lives for two years with Mozart in Vienna, who teaches him for free
- 1788🧳 Journeyage 10
European tour as a child prodigy; lessons with Clementi in London
- 1803🎼 Workage 25
Trumpet Concerto in E major
- 1804🎩 Careerage 26
Konzertmeister to the Esterházy princes in Eisenstadt
- 1804🌍 Meanwhile
Napoleon crowned emperor
- 1813❤️ Private lifeage 35
Marries the singer Elisabeth Röckel
- 1816🎩 Careerage 38
Kapellmeister in Stuttgart
- 1816🌍 Meanwhile
Maelzel patents the metronome (1815–16)
- 1825🌍 Meanwhile
First public passenger railway (England)
- 1828🎼 Workage 50
Comprehensive piano method
- 1837🕯️ Deathage 59
Dies in Weimar on 17 October
Listen to the music
Press the big button to listen. Close your eyes: how does it make you feel?
Johann Nepomuk Hummel’s music is in the public domain, but Wikimedia Commons does not yet offer a freely licensed recording of these works. The links below lead to scores and searches on Commons; as soon as a free recording is published, it can be added here.
Once upon a time…
Johann Nepomuk Hummel was born in Bratislava, in today’s Slovakia. At four he was already playing the piano. Mozart heard him and invited him to live at his home to give him free lessons for two years!
Then he went on tour all over Europe as a child prodigy. He learned from the greatest masters of his time, and he was Beethoven’s friend and rival.
He wrote a concerto for a brand-new trumpet with keys that could play every note. This concerto is still very famous among trumpeters.
In Weimar he became a friend of the great writer Goethe. He also came to say goodbye to Beethoven on his deathbed.
Johann Nepomuk Hummel’s instruments
Tap an instrument to hear it!
Cards to flip
Are you an expert on Johann Nepomuk Hummel?
Answer the questions and win stars!
