Research on Bertold Hummel's work
Musicological research into Bertold Hummel's work is currently limited to a few studies and offers those interested a wide field of activity.
The Bertold Hummel Foundation would like to encourage ambitious scholars to study the composer's life and work and is prepared to award scholarships for doctoral theses.
The composer's estate is held in the music collection of the Bavarian State Library in Munich. The original scores can be viewed there for research purposes.
Dissertations and theses
Alasdair Terkatz-Cameron: Bertold Hummel and Gebrauchsmusik for the liturgy. (in: Cultural Memory and the Singbewegung in Pre- and Postwar Germany), PhD King’s College London 2021, pp. 180–190
Martin Schiessler: The Studio for New Music Würzburg – An investigation into its history from 1958 to 1988. Diploma thesis in the subject of music teaching at the University of Music Würzburg, submitted on 4 June 2012
Heidi Ilgenfritz: Analysis of the "Fantasia Poetica" op. 101b for hammered dulcimer and viola by Bertold Hummel. Diploma thesis submitted to the Nuremberg-Augsburg University of Applied Sciences via the Richard Strauss Conservatory, Munich, 8 July 2002
Norbert Huber: The organ works of Bertold Hummel. Diploma thesis submitted to the Richard Strauss Conservatory, Munich, academic year 1996/1997
Encyclopaedias and books
Franzpeter Messmer: "Does it all fit together somehow? - Horst Lohse in conversation with Hanspeter Messmer. (in: Composers in Bavaria, Volume 69 Horst Lohse), Allitera Verlag, Munich 2023, p. 22 ff.
Christoph Henzel and Steffen Zeller (eds.): The Würzburg Association of Musicians – Commemorative Publication Marking its 100th Anniversary. Königshausen & Neumann Publishers, Würzburg 2011
Ulrich Konrad: Church Music and Sacred Music as Idea and Reality. (in: Dieter Kirsch / Ulrich Konrad (eds.): Church Music in the Diocese of Würzburg - Studies and Sources from the 16th to the 20th Century, Würzburg 2010, pp. 22*, 23, 26, 30*
Christoph Beck: Haec est alma dies. St Kilian in the liturgy under Julius Echter. (in: Dieter Kirsch / Ulrich Konrad (eds.): Church Music in the Diocese of Würzburg – Studies and Sources from the 16th to the 20th Century), Würzburg 2010, p. 66
Siegfried Koesler: Würzburg Cathedral Music in the First Two Thirds of the 20th Century. (in: Dieter Kirsch / Ulrich Konrad (eds.): Church Music in the Diocese of Würzburg – Studies and Sources from the 16th to the 20th Century), Würzburg 2010, pp. 278, 279, 280*, 288, 306, 309, 324
Susanne Farwick: Studies on contemporary music for solo flute in the second half of the 20th century. Peter Lang Internationaler Verlag der Wissenschaften, Frankfurt am Main 2009, pp. 272-273
Ulrich Wagner: The Culture Prizes of the City of Würzburg. 1965-2007, Würzburg 2007, p. 28
Peter Rau: Kurt Heynicke – Fate of a Poet in Merzhausen 1043–1985. Merzhausen 2007, pp. 17/18
Wolfgang Osthoff: Bertold Hummel's last song cycle "Kopflos" (Headless). (in: Music from a free spirit in the twentieth century - Texts 1966-2006, ed. Petra Weber-Bockholdt). Tutzing 2007
Marius Schwemmer: A Short Compendium of Church Music. Tectum Verlag, Marburg 2006, p. 39ff
James H. Laster: Catalogue of Music for Organ and Instruments. Oxford 2005
Paul Werner Scheele: In Memoriam Bertold Hummel, Praise for Music and Musicians. Echter, Würzburg 2005
Reclam's Chamber Music Guide (ed. Arnold Werner-Jensen), 13th updated and expanded edition, Stuttgart 2005, p. 958
Wolfgang Osthoff: Bertold Hummel's last song cycle "Kopflos" (Headless). Musik in Bayern 65/66, 2004
Music in History and the Present, 2nd revised edition, vol. 9, col. 500, Kassel et al. 2003
Heidrun Miller: Friedrich Zehm – Composer between Tradition and Modernity. Are Edition, Mainz 2003, pp. 5, 9, 15–18, 21, 35, 37, 61, 65, 165, 250, 254, 261, 279, 294, 305, 327, 336.
Hans Ulrich Engelmann: Past Present – Memories and Thoughts of a Composer. Darmstadt 2001, pp. 141, 229, 230
Klaus Beckmann: Repertorium Orgelmusik 1150-1992 (Repertory of Organ Music 1150-1992). Schott, Mainz, 1999, p. 301
Peter Hollfelder: International Chronological Lexicon of Piano Music. Wilhelmshaven 1999, p. 182
Klaus Hinrich Stahmer: Chamber Music as a Personal Statement. Composers in Bavaria, Volume 31: Bertold Hummel, Tutzing, 1998
Franz A. Stein: The Church Music of Bertold Hummel. Composers in Bavaria, Volume 31: Bertold Hummel, Tutzing, 1998
Siegfried Fink: Sound and Timing – Bertold Hummel's works for percussion instruments. Composers in Bavaria, Volume 31: Bertold Hummel, Tutzing, 1998
Claus Kühnl: The Symphonic Works of Bertold Hummel. Composers in Bavaria, Volume 31: Bertold Hummel, Tutzing, 1998
Arthur Cohn: Literature for Chamber Music. Hinshaw Music, Chapel Hill NC 1997
Hans Maier: Laudation for Bertold Hummel. Yearbook 11 Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts, Oreos Verlag, 1997, pp. 481-485
Lenz Meierott and Klaus Hinrich Stahmer (eds.): Music and Higher Education: 200 Years of Academic Music Education in Würzburg / Festschrift 1997. Würzburg University of Music, Würzburg: Könighausen und Neumann 1997 ISBN 3-8260-1437-5, pp. 71-74
Dieter Kirsch, Volker Schütz: 200 Years of Academic Music Education in Würzburg. From the Collegium Musicum to the University of Music, Würzburg, 1997, p. 54.
Claus Kühnl: On the 70th birthday of Bertold Hummel – Impromptu speech. In: Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts Yearbook 10, Oreos Verlag Schaftlach, 1996, pp. 271–275
Renate Freyeisen: Crossing boundaries – New music in Würzburg. Würzburg Culture Book (ed. V. Müller-Veith), Königshausen & Neumann Publishers, Würzburg 1992
Karl Schumann: On Bertold Hummel. Yearbook 5 Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts, Munich, 1991 pp. 246-250.
Hermann Müllich: Music Education and Music of the 20th Century – Evaluation of Specific Research Results. In: Music in Discourse, Volume 9, Gustav Bosse Verlag, Regensburg 1991, pp. 45–68
D.M.B.: Bertold Hummel – in print, Strings/USA, February 1991
Reclam's Organ Music Guide Stuttgart by Victor Lukas, Fourth expanded edition, Stuttgart 1963/1979/1992, p. 327
Franz A. Stein: ... the honour of being your reviewer! Regensburg 1985, pp. 221/222 (ISBN 3-91114-88-8)
Frank Altmann: Tonkünstler Lexikon. Heinrichshofen's Verlag, 1978, p. 312.
The Great Encyclopaedia of Music. (Ed. Günther Massenkeil) Herder, Freiburg i. Brsg. 1978, Volume 4, p. 140.
Hans Musch (ed.): Music in Worship. A Handbook for Basic Training in Catholic Church Music. Gustav Bosse Verlag, Regensburg, 1975, pp. 386/387
Adrian Gaster: Who's Who in Music. Cambridge, England, 11.1975.
rororo Music Handbook in two volumes (ed.: Heinrich Lindlar). Volume 2: Encyclopaedia of Composers. Encyclopaedia of Performers. Publisher: Rowohlt 1973
Music Lexicon. Riemann, Mainz, 1972, p. 561.
Magazines, newspapers, etc. (chronological)
Andreas Boltz: Children's pieces and oratorio. Bertold Hummel was born a hundred years ago. Music & Church September/October 2025, Kassel 2025.
Martin Hummel: Bertold Hummel's Music for Flute. Flute Today 3.2022, pp. 40–44, Frankfurt 2022.
Barbara Stühlmeyer: Room for innovation. The "Würzburger Dommesse" and mass settings by Berthold Hummel. Die Tagespost, Würzburg, 5 July 2016.
Joachim Werz: On the immortality of music: Bertold Hummel (1925–2002) on his 90th birthday. Musica sacra, Regensburg, issue 6/2015, pp. 376/378.
Horst Fischer: From Hüfingen to the world of music. Südkurier Fr. 183 / DNE / 9 August 2012.
Barbara Stühlmeyer: Canticum novum. Bertold Hummel / Ave Maria op. 97e2, Musica sacra, Regensburg, issue 3/2011, pp. 200-201.
Felicitas Steigerwald: "Making musical ideas tangible" – The composer Bertold Hummel. Flöte aktuell 1.2011, pp. 32-33, Frankfurt 2011.
Ulrich Konrad: Church music and sacred music as idea and reality III. Musica sacra, Regensburg, issue 2/2011, pp. 87-91.
Barbara Stühlmeyer: Music as Apology – The Masses of Bertold Hummel. Musica sacra, Regensburg, issue 6/2010, pp. 375–376.
Anneliese Schürer: On the 5th anniversary of the death of composer Bertold Hummel. forte 9/2007, p. 8.
Wolfgang Hörlin: Annotations on the interpretation of Bertold Hummel's organ music. Organ 1/0, pp. 24–25, Schott Music, Mainz 2007.
Peter Wittrich: Benedicamus domino op. 102 – The pinnacle of Bertold Hummel's organ works. Organ 1/0, pp. 16–24, Schott Music, Mainz 2007.
Andrea Braun: The composer Bertold Hummel and chamber music. Ensemble – Magazine for Chamber Music, pp. 34–36, Düsseldorf, II/2006.
Wilfried Hiller: Tastenspiele – Bertold Hummel's piano music (not only) for children. CD booklet accompanying the CD of the same name, Musicaphon M 55716, Klassik Center Kassel, 2006.
Prof. Dr Evangelos Konstantinou: Bertold Hummel and the Greek-German Initiative. Philia – a magazine for Europe, pp. 246/247, Würzburg, II/2005.
Michael Corßen: The composer Bertold Hummel. ESTA News 51 / March 2004.
Erwin Horn: Bertold Hummel – Patron of Unrecognised Composers – Otto Jägermeier. University Communications 2002-2003, Würzburg 2003.
Klaus Wolters: Bertold Hummel: Keyboard Games. Revue Musicale Suisse 38 No. 4 April 2003.
Jürgen Libbert: Hermann Hesse and Bertold Hummel. On the 125th birthday of the poet and the death of the composer. Annual Report 2001/2002, University of Catholic Church Music Regensburg 2002
Karl Heinz Wahren: In memory of Bertold Hummel. GEMA News No. 166 3/2002, Berlin.
Claus Kühnl: Classical order expanded – Bertold Hummel – composer in the twentieth century. Neue Musikzeitung, November 2002.
Dr Thomas Daniel Schlee: In memoriam – In memory of Prof. Bertold Hummel. Annual Report of the Guardini Foundation, Berlin 2002.
Marius Schwemmer: In Memoriam, in: Musica sacra 5, 2002, 14.
Markus Reder: Good news transformed into music – Bertold Hummel, one of the most important contemporary composers, has died. Deutsche Tagespost, 17 August 2002.
Maria Zeidler-Kröll: Bertold Hummel – Keyboard Games. Practising & Making Music, p. 78, 5/2002.
Ernst Oestreicher: Much catching up to do in communicating new sounds – conversation with Bertold Hummel. Musik zum Lesen 04/2002.
Jörg Hillebrand: Franconian prophet. Fono Forum 12/2000.
Max McKee: Versatile Œuvre – On Bertold Hummel's 75th Birthday. Clarino 11/2000, p. 12
Werner Häußner: He was nicknamed Palestrina. Die Tagespost No. 142, 28 November 2000.
Werner Häußner: "Music simply has to go through your head and body". Würzburg composer turns 75. Main-Echo, 27 November 2000.
Edward F. Rhein: Bertold Hummel – a life with music. Würzburger katholisches Sonntagsblatt, No. 48, 26 November 2000.
Werner Häußner: A powerful work – Bertold Hummel's "Shrine of the Martyrs" in Würzburg. Main-Echo Aschaffenburg, 18 November 2000.
Michael Corßen: Bertold Hummel and the Sonatina, composer portrait at the Gütersloh Music School. October 1999.
Thomas Daniel Schlee: German Catholics' Art and Culture Prize awarded to Petr Eben and Bertold Hummel, Musica sacra 1998 / 04, pp. 362–364
Hans Maier: A Libretto from the Bishop. Rheinischer Merkur, Bonn, 30 May 1997, p. 19.
Marius Linnenborn: A festival of church music in Salzburg. Musica Sacra, Regensburg, 01/02.1997, pp. 35–38.
Mariusz Dubaj: Prof. Bertold Hummel "Saxophone" Polskie Stowarzyszenie Saksofonowe. Lublin, January 1997, pp. 21–28.
Manfred Langendarf: The composer Bertold Hummel. WOX, Würzburg, 12.1996 p. 31.
Jürgen Libbert: On the appropriateness of musical relationships. Gitarre aktuell, Hamburg, 01.1996.
Rolf Rudin: My time with Bertold Hummel. Clarino 12/1995, pp. 13–14
Hubert Velten: Prof. Bertold Hummel on his 70th birthday. Academy for Catholic Church Music and Music Education Regensburg, Annual Report 1995/96.
Werner Häußner: "I cannot live without composing". Main-Echo, Aschaffenburg, 27 November 1995.
O. Schmitt-Rosenberger: Committed to the art of the possible. Volksblatt, Würzburg, 25 November 1995.
Otto Strodel: Composer Bertold Hummel turns 70. Mainpost, Würzburg, 25 November 1995.
Gerd Heymann: Dreamlike confidence. Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, Dortmund, 1 November 1995
Martin Wetterich: An impressive start. Volksblatt, Würzburg, 17 October 1995.
Manfred Plate: Questionnaire. Christ in der Gegenwart, Freiburg L Brsg. April 1995, p. 54.
Franzpeter Messmer: Portrait: The composer Bertold Hummel. Neue Musikzeitung, Regensburg, November 1990.
Reinhard Schulz: Notes on Bertold Hummel. Munich Philharmonic Orchestra (2nd Chamber Concert), Munich 1990, pp. 4–5.
Franzpeter Messmer: "The Shrine of the Martyrs". Das Orchester, Mainz, 10.1989, p. 985.
Franz A. Stein: The Oratorio of the Century in Würzburg Cathedral. Musica Sacra, Regensburg, 07/08.1989, pp. 332-334.
Paul Werner Scheele: The oratorio "Der Schrein der Märtyrer" by Bertold Hummel, Würzburger katholisches Sonntagsblatt, Würzburg 18 June 1989
Franz Fleckenstein: Music in honour of Saint Kilian and his companions, Würzburger katholisches Sonntagsblatt, Würzburg, 18 June 1989
Karl Schumann: The drums of the Last Judgement. Süddeutsche Zeitung, Munich, 11 May 1989.
Silke Zielen: The Elan of the Young. Erlanger Tagblatt, Erlangen, 10 January 1989.
Karl Georg Rötter: Composer expressed his gratitude with an original score. Volksblatt, Würzburg, 24 November 1988.
Hans Behr: Beloved as a composer and teacher. Main-Post, Würzburg, 11 March 1988.
Werner Häußner: Composer and music teacher. Volksblatt, Würzburg, 11 March 1988.
Bertram Turetzky: Music Reviews. Music Library Association. California, USA, March 1988.
Franz Hennevogl: Foreword. University of Music: University Communications 1986/87, Würzburg 1987, pp. 5–8.
Hans Behr: The sheer immeasurable field of creative activity. Main-Post, Würzburg, 19/20 September 1987.
Bertold Hummel: Composer and fighter: Peter Jona Korn turns 65 – Between all styles. Die Welt, Hamburg, March 1987.
Hans Behr: Lost child cries and chases fireflies. Main-Post, Würzburg, 24 January 1987.
Alfred Rinderspacher: Sheet music. Das Orchester. Regensburg, 7–8 September 1986.
Marc Rochester: Younger piano. Musical Times. London, June 1986.
Lothar Mattner: "Bertold Hummel". Neue Zeitschrift für Musik, Mainz, May 1986.
Hubert Leuchtbrink: Musica Nova. Neue Musikzeitung, Regensburg, April/May 1986.
Fritz Schleicher: Clear as crystal. Nürnberger Nachrichten, Nuremberg, 19 April 1986
Thomas Emmerig: "...and all their splendour is toil and vanity". Mittelbayerische Zeitung, Regensburg, 23 December 1985.
Michael Klügel: Herald of the End Times. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Frankfurt, 18 December 1985.
Franz A. Stein: Bertold Hummel at Sixty. Musica Sacra, Regensburg, November/December 1985, p. 440.
Werner Häußner: Joy in creative play. Main-Echo, Aschaffenburg, 27 November 1985
Hans Behr: Lovable as a person, worth listening to as a composer. Main-Post, Würzburg, 25 November 1985.
Thea Lethmayer: Between hope and atomic death. Ballets by Gottfried von Einem and Bertold Hummel, Augsburger Allgemeine, Augsburg, 1/2 May 1984.
Peter Kins: Warnings to humanity – Neue Presse, Augsburg, 4 May 1984.
Klaus Hinrich Stahmer: Extremely lively "Methusalem". Das Orchester, Mainz, February 1984. Fritz Schleicher: Apocalyptic images. Nürnberger Nachrichten, Nuremberg, 14 November 1983.
Fritz Schleicher: Apocalyptic Images. Nürnberger Nachrichten, Nuremberg, 14 November 1983.
Egon Bezold: Outcry and hope. Nürnberger Zeitung, Nuremberg, 14 November 1983
Gerhard Schuhmacher: Record documentation of the German Music Council on contemporary music. Musik und Kirche, Kassel, March 1982, p. 147.
Joachim Dorfmüller: Concerts for organ and orchestra in the 20th century. Das Orchester, 2/1982, pp. 107–110.
Hanns-Wemer Heister: After the Apocalypse of John. Tagesspiegel, Berlin, 13 June 1980.
Hans Behr: Music Academy Plans to Expand Course Offerings, Main-Post, Würzburg, 2 February 1980.
Franz Rauhut: Interview with Bertold Hummel Neues Europa, Luxembourg, 1980, p. 29.
Klaus Hinrich Stahmer: Composers in Leading Positions. University of Music Würzburg 1804–1979. Würzburg, November 1979, p. 19.
Wolfgang Molkow: Wind instrument diversity and demonic battle. Berliner Festwochen, Berlin, 27 September 1979.
Hans-Jörg von Jena: "Faust scenes" with a sense of musical effect. Spandauer Volksblatt, Berlin, 27 September 1979.
Bertold Hummel: The meaning of the world in praise of God. Rheinischer Merkur, Bonn, 27 April 1979, 5.19.
Bertold Hummel: On "Visions" for large orchestra based on the Apocalypse of John the Evangelist by Bertold Hummel. Philharmonische Blätter, Issue No. 8, Berlin, 1979/80, pp. 9-10.
Herbert Glossner: Organ works. Fono-Forum, Munich, 6 June 1978.
Mary Arm Campbell: Composers applauded following world premieres. The Mail Tribune. Oregon, USA, 10 April 1978.
Eberhard Kraus: Musica Sacra. Regensburg, January 1978, pp. 138–139, 161.
Bertold Hummel: Getting to know the mentality. In: How do composers find young performers? Initial responses to Erich Doflein's essay in NMZ 5/76. Neue Musik-Zeitung, Regensburg, 12/1976-01/1977, p. 9.
Klaus Linsenmeyer: Compositions by Bertold Hummel. Volksblatt, Würzburg, 10 December 1977.
Gotthard Schmidtke: "Captivating finale to the Festive Days". Braunschweiger Zeitung, Braunschweig, 1 December 1975.
Bernd Seydel: Based on the painting by Hans Thoma. Main-Post, Würzburg, 28 July 1975.
Helmut Fritsch: Successful venture with "The Last Flower". Main-Echo, Aschaffenburg, 7 May 1975.
Udo Schirmbeck: Symphonic detours. Das Orchester, Mainz, February 1975.
Karl Hahn: Premiere with surprises. Hofer Anzeiger/Frankenpost, Hof, 2 February 1975.
Franz A. Stein: "Reverenza" by Bertold Hummel Deutsche Tagespost, Würzburg, 9 October 1974.
Klaus Hinrich Stahmer: Thirteen string players in the Goldsaal. Melos, Mainz, February 1974, vol. 41, pp. 48/49/109.
Margrit Leue: Hummel's "Contraste für Streicher". Mainzer Allgemeine Zeitung, Mainz, 30 October 1973.
Klaus Hinrich Stahmer: "Sound Experiments by Bertold Hummel". Neue Musik-Zeitung, Regensburg, 03/04.1972.
Bach Days 1971. Neue Zeitschrift für Musik, Mainz, January 1972.
Helmut Fritsch: "Bach, the roots and the fruits". Main-Echo, Aschaffenburg, 30 November 1971.
W. Hambach: A valuable new psalm composition. Flensburger Tageblatt, Flensburg, 26 May 1970.
Alois Keck: "... is a fantastic thing" Volksblatt, Würzburg, 5 December 1967.
A. Meyer: "Würzburg Cathedral Mass". Main-Post, Würzburg, 8 May 1967.
A. Meyer: Festive music. Badische Zeitung, Freiburg, 7 April 1966.
Dieter Schorr: Moderate avant-garde. Stuttgarter Zeitung, Stuttgart, 2 April 1962
Haass: Contemporary music resounded. Rheinische Post, Düsseldorf, 22 August 1959.
SUZ.: "The Emperor's New Clothes" set to music. Mannheimer-Morgen Mannheim, 22 July 1957.
Hanns Reich: Recording number 1000. Badische Zeitung, Freiburg, 8 September 1956.
Broesike-Schoen: Organ music in St. Johannis. Hamburger Abendblatt, Hamburg, 29 October 1953.
Hanns Reich: Church music in the cathedral, Badische Zeitung, 31 October 1952
Herbert Barth: Musikalische Jugend, No. 5-8. Bayreuth, January 1951, p. 10.
