Ferdinand von Hiller studied under Johann Nepomuk Hummel in Weimar after his father sent him there at the age of ten because of his early musical talent; by then he had already written his first composition. Under Hummel's guidance, Hiller devoted himself to composition, took part in work on the opera Maria Stuarts, became acquainted with Goethe, and made such progress as a pianist that in early 1827 he left for concert appearances in Vienna.
Hummel later became renowned in Weimar as a music teacher whose pupils came from many countries, and being his student was considered important for a young musician's future career.
