Poem op. 80

Hummel's piece for solo violoncello and 13 strings follows Hermann Hesse's famous poem 'Stufen' ('Steps') with regard to form and content. Hummel, a cellist himself, arranges the solo part with playing techniques and tone colours that are typical of the instrument. The work begins and ends with a perfect fifth which sets a clear, concise motif. Short phrases in distinctive bowing patterns and harmonics determine the intensive dialogue between solo instrument and the group of 13 string instruments. At the end, the tension leads to an all-explanatory B-A-C-H theme: an unmistakable homage to the old master.