Abschied (Farewell) for Violoncello (2002)
First
performance: September 9, 2002 / Berlin
Julius Berger
Duration: 4 Minutes
Publisher:
Schott Music CB 176 / ISMN: 979-0-001-13632-7
Video: Works by Hummel on youtube
My
father made the first sketches for this work, a commission marking the retirement
of his colleague (in the Guardini Foundation) Hermann Josef Schuster, in early
summer, 2002. The event took place on the 9th September, 2002 in Berlin and there
the first performance was given by Julius Berger. Those letters from his colleague's
name corresponding to notes of the scale provided the musical material for the
composition.
Only a few days before his death (9th August, 2002), he gave
me the last instructions regarding the sketches, to which I gave the name "Farewell".
A work which in its brevity touches deeply with animated, simple and saving
strength.
Stefan D. Hummel