Search - Hummel, Weber, Melos Ensemble of London :: Hummel: Septet, Op.74, Quintet, Op.87; Weber: Clarinet Quintet, Op. 34 [Australia]

The pinacle of Hummel's career.......Weber......not so much

Rembrandt Q. Einstein | NY | 12/04/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

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I managed to find this CD in the backroom's of a Virgin Records Megastore. And what a find it was. This Septet and Quintet by Hummel, (along with his trumpet concerto, not on this CD) are the best works he ever produced....And I have heard a lot of Hummel. Both the Hummel works on this CD are easily comparable to the best of Beethoven. Had I not know they were Hummel, I would have assumed it was Beethoven. From start to finish each movement just sparkles with verve and energy. They are both elegantly played by the Melos Ensemble of London. One could not ask for a better performance. The notes are crisp and well defined. The spacing and tempo are just right. This version of the septet is far and away superior to the only other version available on the Helios label. The Weber clarinet quintet is somewhat more disappointing. First off, on the most basic compositional level, it is simply inferior to the Hummel pieces. This unfortunately is compounded by a bad recording sound for this particular piece. That is the reason this CD gets 4/5 stars. (But the recording quality is perfect for the Hummel so don't worry). In closing I will say that Hummel's reputation as a transitional and mediocre composer is most unjustified. Yes he had some bombs, but we let Beethoven get away with "Wellington's Victory" didn't we? I have always found that finding forgotten gem's like these are much more fulfilling than just buying another CD of Haydn or Mozart. So buy this CD, you will not regret it.

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A re release of an old gem

S. J. Mclaren | 02/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a re release of the 1960s Decca recording and was one of several around at that time. It was interesting that when this recording first came out, this Septet was described as perhaps his most well known work apart from his trumpet concerto and yet sadly this is not the case today. It is however a mastery composition. Critics have praised Hummel's innovation of dispensing with melody in the 2nd movement to little melodic motiffs. It is a spendid recording full of vitality if a little rough around the edges. Listening to Czerny's equally magifciant Nonet, I couldnt help but think that Hummel greatly influenced the later work with this septet too. Other composers such as Fesca were influenced to write brilliant Spetets and sadly the recording of the Fesca Septet is no longer available. It is a mystery as to why the popularity of the Septet has declined while Hummel's other music has generated such an increase in interest.



The Qunitet is the sister to Schubert's Trout which he wrote for the same ensemble but this recording doesnt have quite the same sparkle as the recently recorded Trio Wanderer recording."