Hummel: Der Durchzug Durchs Rote Meer / Max, Kermes, Et Al

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HUMMEL Der Durchzug durchs Rote Meer • Hermann Max, cond; Simone Kermes (sop); Veronika Winter (sop); Hans Jörg Mammel (ten); Ekkehard Abele (bs); Wolf Matthias Friedrich (bs); Rheinische Kantorei; Das Kleine Konzert • cpo 777 220 (50:45 & ) Live: Klosterbasilike Knechtsteden 9/22/2004


Johann Nepomuk Hummel’s piano music, particularly his concertos, are gems that are hidden from view far more than they deserve to be. Occasional performances and recordings remind us of Hummel’s inventiveness and imagination, as well as his solid craft.


This oratorio, The Passage through the Red Sea , is further proof of those qualities. While this may not be an undiscovered masterpiece, it is a work capable of providing a great deal of pleasure, even on repeated hearings. The writing is at times inspired, powerful, and even rather original. Almost all solo arias have choral sections inserted in their midst, a quite unusual and effective touch. The work may not have been performed during Hummel’s lifetime, and this is certainly its first recording, and may well be the work’s first performance ever. The autograph was in the British Library, and the work has been presumed lost until its discovery there.


If Hummel’s music appeals to you—or if other early-Romantic music resonates with you—the chances are that you will enjoy this recording as much as I did. The singing ranges from the adequate to excellent, the chorus sings with clarity and purity of tone, and the orchestral playing is quite good as well. Hermann Max conducts this music like he believes in it, and that helps to bring it to life. The recorded sound is warm, well balanced, and natural—and there are helpful notes as well as complete text and translation. A very worthwhile release from cpo.


FANFARE: Henry Fogel


Product Description:

  • Release Date: February 27, 2007


  • Catalog Number: 777220-2


  • UPC: 761203722020


  • Label: CPO


  • Number of Discs: 1


  • Composer: Johann Nepomuk Hummel


  • Conductor: Hermann Max


  • Orchestra/Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert, Rheinische Kantorei


  • Performer: Ekkehard Abele, Hans Jörg Mammel, Simone Kermes, Veronika Winter, Wolf Matthias Friedrich