Symphony No. 3 ‘Jeremiah’, Op. 100 (1996)

1. Moderato (Anathot)
2. Presto (Babylon)
3. Adagio (Lamentationes Jeremiae)
4. Moderato (Hymnus-Lakén)

Würzburg Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Jonathan Seers

Live recording from 5 December 1997
in the main hall of the Würzburg University of Music
in collaboration with Bayerischer Rundfunk
Sound engineer: Jürgen Rummel

FAZ, 23 July 1999

The Würzburg Philharmonic Orchestra, in fine form and under the energetic baton of Jonathan Seers, has produced a stunningly brilliant concert recording of his Third Symphony ‘Jeremiah’, which premiered two years ago. The protracted calling of the young priest’s son Jeremiah to become a prophet is interpreted in a musical journey ranging from simple rhythmic patterns to multi-layered textures. Using a diverse and colourful percussion section, Hummel found a gestural, expansive yet not simplistic musical language for the famous laments about the impending fate of the city of Babylon. For Hummel, musical movement is a direct physical expression, so that dark moods portend disaster whilst bright timbres promise good. Jeremiah’s self-doubt is portrayed through a pastel-hued blend of extremes. Above all, it is Hummel’s virtuoso, concertante handling of the instruments that makes the work well worth listening to.