Hummel, Ferdinand

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Hummel, Ferdinand

Hummel, Ferdinand, German composer and teacher; b. Berlin, Sept. 6, 1855; d. there, April 24, 1928. He began making appearances as a harpist when he was only 7. Following studies with Zamara in Vienna, he toured Germany, Scandinavia, and Russia (1864–67), accompanied by his father, a flutist in the Prussian Royal Chapel. He then completed his training in Berlin at Kullak’s Academy (1868–75), the Hochschule für Musik, and the Akademie der Kunst. He devoted himself primarily to teaching and composing in Berlin. In 1892 he was made music director of the Royal Theater, and in 1897 he was named Royal Kapellmeister. Several of his operas were composed in the verismo manner.

Works

dramatic: Opera: Mara (Berlin, Oct. 11, 1893); Angla (Berlin, June 9, 1894); Ein treuer Schelm (Prague, Oct. 25, 1894); Assarpai (Gotha, April 6, 1898); Sophie von Brabant (Darmstadt, Feb. 14, 1899); Die Beichte (Berlin, April 10, 1900); Die Gefilde der Seligen (Altenburg, Jan. 19, 1917). OTHER: Sym.; Piano Concerto; chamber music; choral works.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire