Johann Nepomuk Hummel (1778-1837) Austrian composer, a close friend of Ludwig van Beethoven and Franz Schubert. Hummel was considered one of the greatest piano virtuosos of his time. As the teacher of Carl Czerny, who later became a great piano pedagogue himself, Hummel had a great influence on the development of Romantic piano technique. Trio for Flute, Cello and Piano, Op. 7..