Various: Stephen Hough In Recital (Hyperion Audio CD)

The Hough discography is enhanced by this delightful recital disc from the winner of the Gramophone Gold Disc
Award, acclaimed recently as ‘Britain’s finest pianist’ (Sunday Times), and as one of the six greatest pianists performing
in the world today (The Guardian).
The selection of works reflects a concert programme which Stephen performed all round the world in the 2007/8
season, with a quirkily-addressed theme of Variations and Waltzes. These appear in many guises: for instance the ‘first
half’ concludes with Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No 32 in C minor, with its extraordinary set of variations in the second
movement. Then Stephen takes the listener on a whirlwind tour of the waltz, performing some of the triumphs of the
genre with his trademark immaculate polish and unerring style. The disc ends with some typical Hough whimsy—as
ever, utterly charming and full of surprises.
Praise for STEPHEN HOUGH’S MOZART ALBUM CDA67598
‘Here’s another winning, imaginatively conceived disc from Britain’s finest pianist … It is unexpected and delightful programme-building. Prized for
his pianism, Hough is also a superb Mozartian. He lends these Fantasias an almost Beethovenian weight and depth of expression … Hough’s playing is
dazzling throughout’ (Sunday Times) ‘There are all too few pianists with the equivalent of Hough’s three Michelin stars … Opening with two of
Mozart’s solo masterpieces, the ear is welcomed into an intimate, pellucid sound world with a sophistcated grading of dynamics … [Liszt-Busoni
Fantasy on Non piu andrai] provides a hair-raising bravura display that deserves to be heard more often. At least, when played like this’ (Gramophone)