York Bowen ranks as one of the greatest virtuoso pianists England has seen. His vast output of piano compositions stands comparison with that of Rachmaninov and yet has remained largely neglected: he was a figure who wrote the the sort of music he loved – not the new 'trendy' music his own generation demanded.

"York Bowen is master of every kind of piano writing, which, great artist that he is, he uses not to the ends of trumpery and empty virtuoso affichage, but to the purposes of the powerful brilliant glowing and rich expression of a very individual beautiful and interesting musical thought … York Bowen is, at the present time, the one English composer whose work can justly be said to be that of a great Master of the instrument, as Rachmaninov was or as Medtner is." (Sorabji).



PIANOFORTE RECORDING OF THE YEAR ; PENGUIN GUIDE ROSETTE ; GRAMOPHONE EDITOR'S CHOICE / CRITICS' CHOICE ; RECORD OF THE MONTH (HI-FI NEWS & RECORD REVIEW) ; DIAPASON D'OR

'This disc came as quite a revelation ... This eloquent new collection suggests that a radical reappraisal of Bowen's compositional achievement is long overdue ... It is well-nigh impossible to imagine a more sensitive or imperious advocate for Bowen's art than Stephen Hough who responds with his customary effortless technical mastery, rapt affection and intrepid panache' (Gramophone)

‘York Bowen could have no more ardent or pianistically adroit advocate’ (Gramophone)

‘my own record of the year … lovely music, criminally neglected, given irreproachably eloquent and irresistibly stylish advocacy by this consummate artist. Music-making of exquisite poise and remarkable perception’ (Gramophone)

‘Buried English gold unearthed by a brilliant treasure hunter ... I can think of few other living pianists who … can play them with such persuasive advocacy and winning yet unforced charm’ (Classic CD)

‘Hough plays [Fifth Piano Sonata] with barely checked emotion, leaving nothing in reserve ... Bowen’s music requires a serene, lilting-like approach from the pianist to realise the subtle beauty of the piece, and Stephen Hough provides this with consummate ease ... Bowen would indeed have been a remarkable pianist if he could play his works as well as Stephen Hough’ (Soundscapes)

‘No other living pianist could hope to play such music with comparable richness, sensuous magic and depth of feeling. Time and again he sets the mind and senses reeling … in the final pages of the Fifth Sonata … you will, awed and bemused, admit you are in the presence of pianistic genius ... Even more remarkable than such feats of strength and brilliantly controlled fury is Stephen Hough’s poetic fervour in those many pages that glance longingly over the shoulder at a bygone age … not only a musical Elysium but one of the most remarkable of all modern piano records’ (Hi-Fi news and Record Review)

'Ici une pyrotechnie évoquant le grand piano russe se met au service d'une harmonie subtile, richement chromatique' (Diapason, France)

'Hough evidencia unos medios técnicos espectaculares y una agilidad mecánica que la permite une extraordinaria nitidez' (Scherzo, Spain)

'On the basis of this spectacular release, it is easy to imagine a Bowen revival, for this is deeply satisfying, richly melodic music to warm the heart of any romantic ... The superb young British pianist Stephen Hough plays with bracing virtuosity and golden tone. I'm sure Hough could play scales and put together an interesting recital. In this case he applies his artistry to music of great integrity, and the result is a recorded recital of special distinction' (Fanfare, USA)

'Few new discs of piano music match this for sheer magic: magnetic performances that come as a revelation. Vivid piano sound' (The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs)

‘Without doubt one of the most interesting and valuable piano releases of 1996 ... ideal vehicles for the superlative pianism of Mr. Hough ... the smaller preludes disclose the widest possible gamut of moods and colors and are couched in pianistic trappings of the first order ... Hough’s performances leave absolutely nothing to be desired’ (American Record Guide)

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Recording details: September 1995; St George's, Brandon Hill, United Kingdom; Produced by Andrew Keener; Engineered by Tony Faulkner; Release date: April 1996;