What's in a Name?

Like Beethoven sonatas, Haydn symphonies, and Dvorak's chamber music, nicknames often sell musical works.

Subtitled 'Military', the presence of a trumpet is the only sense I can make of this Hummel's Septet's name. Hummel experimented with the keyed Trumpet for that instrtument's concerto, and I hear some flourishes of that work here.

Hummel liked jaunts into unrelated keys, and I can't imagine that jived with using a trumpet of his time. The C-Major key certainly supports this idea, and the trumpet's relative absence in the middle portion of the work probably allowed Hummel more creative avenues for this work.

And so it is; the trumpet really only punctuates here and there with fanfare bursts, and takes a back-seat ride for the slow movement. I would much rather have the horn from the first Septet. The included piano in Hummel's second septet doesn't sound like the authoritative blockbuster it was for his first septet either; and yet the popularity for this work continues. Oh well... hopefully those who come to this piece for the 'Military' nickname venture to his first septet, one I consider far superior.

Kreutzer's Grand Septet has a bountiful six movements and is modeled on the more popular Beethoven septet, with a full string quartet and winds for color. It is also more Classically balanced, with plenty of gentrified propriety. It is a pleasant ride, but makes Hummel's septet sound much more convincing in comparison.

A review from 2024

This second volume featuring Hummel’s second Septet, the first volume found on CRD, is paired with that of Conradin Kreutzer. Both were performed by the Nash Ensemble and released in the late 70’s/early 80s.

I am not as enthusiastic regarding Hummel’s ‘Military’ Septet compared to his minor-keyed first Septet, although the latter is more popular, I assume due to its nickname. The trumpet is used as punctuation, and seems to show up when the composer realizes it has been too long since it last appeared. The horn of the first Septet has a much more satisfying role.

The music is not as inspired as the first either, at least in my opinion. The piano does not feature as strongly, although I do like its presence in both due to its rhythmic and textural contributions. Otherwise, this septet is the stronger of the two on this recording, and Hummel is always full of quality tunes.

The little known Conradin Kreutzer is more firmly planted in the Classical Era, while Hummel’s is a little more experimental. Kreutzer’s certainly sounds more traditional, if such a thing could be said of a chamber septet, and its six movements come and go pleasantly, if not inspirationally.

The two Hummel septets were released together, so if the Kreutzer or Berwald septets are not of interest, there is another option. Otherwise, the Nash Ensemble plays expertly and the balances are good.

Listen on YouTube

 

Works
Hummel: Septet 2 in C Major 'Military' (29.39)
Kreutzer: Grand Septet in E-flat Major (27.21)

Ensemble
Nash Ensemble

Label: CRD
Year: 1996
Total Timing: 57.00

 

 

Well played by the Nash Ensemble, although neither is a favorite work of mine.

Perhaps it would behoove me to hear Hummel's Military Septet elsewhere (such as the terrific Consortium Classicum), but as it is, I would rather have horn instead of trumpet.

The Kreutzer septet gives me that, but far less authoritatively or creatively compared to Hummel's first septet.

 

 

Find more Hummel recordings HERE!