Dear friends of classical and, above all, beautiful and high-quality art,
It is often said that what Mozart means to Salzburg, Hummel means to Bratislava. This comparison between a Bratislava native and a world-class giant of serious music suggests that the capital of Slovakia – Bratislava – naturally hosts events bearing his name, celebrating his artistic legacy and inspiring vitality through the beauty of music. This was notably demonstrated when the once-indifferent Prince of Edinburgh became engaged and began to appreciate the beauty of music thanks to the influence of young Hummel. We should cherish that Bratislava, and Slovakia more broadly, has such remarkable natives. The National Bank of Slovakia recognizes these cultural values, which is why we are pleased to support young talents and present the award from the Governor of the National Bank of Slovakia at the 11th edition of the Johann Nepomuk Hummel International Piano Competition. We wish all competitors from around the world a delightful stay in Bratislava. We believe that the sounds produced by the young musicians, as always at this prestigious internationally recognized triennial, will enrich the musical life of our capital city.
One of the places I like to go to “breathe in” the atmosphere of old Pressburg is the neo-baroque building on Klobučnická Street in Bratislava, in the courtyard of which is the birthplace of Johann Nepomuk Hummel (1778–1837). The building is well-preserved and has been home to a museum run by the city since 1937. Another reason I visit this building is that it houses a music store with literature and audio recordings, a rare treasure even in larger cities today.
Looking at the charming architecture of Hummel‘s house will always remind me of the time and the stories associated with this famous composer, pianist and teacher, who lived during the transitional period between musical classicism and romanticism. He studied with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johann Georg Albrechtsberger, and Antonio Salieri, performed with Joseph Haydn, and maintained friendships with Ludwig van Beethoven and Johann Wolfgang Goethe. He captivated audiences with his exceptional talent and advanced virtuoso piano playing, which earned him widespread fame and recognition. Hummel toured throughout Europe; from Eisenstadt, through Bratislava, Vienna, Dresden to London, to finally end his career as bandleader of orchestras in Stuttgart and Weimar, where he lived to the age of 58. He left behind a rich musical legacy in the form of virtuoso concerts dedicated to the piano and other instruments, as well as numerous chamber pieces, cantatas, ballet music, masses, operas and other compositions.
When Professor Marian Lapšanský founded the international piano competition in 1991 which bears the name of this significant Bratislava native, he might not have imagined that it would still be thriving over 30 years later.
However, the opposite has proven true. In addition to the worldwide promotion of Hummel’s works, the competition attracts young pianists from all over the world to our capital every three years, many of whom go on to achieve prominent international careers. The J. N. Hummel Piano Competition has become a permanent part of the cultural life of Bratislava and is a member of both the World Federation of International Music Competitions and the Alink-Argerich Foundation. Its organizer and guarantor is the Slovak Philharmonic, with the National Bank of Slovakia as its main partner.
In the 11th year of the competition we are set to welcome up to 30 promising new participants, along with a jury made up of leading piano soloists and educators. I wish all the participants success in the competition and in their future careers. I hope that the atmosphere of the Slovak Philharmonic, as well as the camaraderie and spirit of the competition, will inspire them to keep the music in their hearts forever and to perform it with the same passion and excellence as our own Johann Nepomuk Hummel did.