Johann Nepomuk Hummel

Jan Nepomuk Hummel short biography

Jan (Johann) Nepomuk Hummel was born into a family of musicians. Hummel started playing violin at an early age, but soon switched to the pianoforte. When Hummel was 7, he played for Mozart, who was so impressed by the young pianist’s outstanding talent that he offered to give Hummel music lessons. Hummel spent 2 years living with Mozart and soon started a brilliant virtuoso career. Hummel’s art of improvisation was legendary and comparable only to that of Beethoven. Schubert’s 3 last piano sonatas are dedicated to Hummel. Hummel is regarded as the most distinguished exponent of the Viennese keyboard school since by Mozart.