Credits:

Uwe Grotts, Gold Piano Trio

Description:

Hummel was eight years younger than Beethoven, and at the age of 26, on the recommendation of Haydn, he became the concertmaster of the Esterházy family. After his resignation, he made a name for himself as a pianist in Vienna. He and Beethoven were initially rivals and enemies, but eventually reconciled and formed a true friendship. Hummel arranged Beethoven's Symphonies No. 1 through No. 7 into chamber music versions, and he was instrumental in bringing these works to the public at a time when it was difficult to enjoy them directly with an orchestra. The arrangements are superb, and the Gould Piano Trio, whose members are well-known NAXOS flutist Uwe Grottl and pianist Benjamin Frith, performs the two pieces brilliantly. Naxos Japan