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.



SUNDAY TIMES CLASSICAL CD OF THE WEEK ; GRAMOPHONE DISC OF THE MONTH

'Listening to this recital I felt as though I were a guest at a sumptuous banquet … It is the different wines accompanying each course that make this meal special, that is to say the discriminating premier cru tone, touch (what magically hushed pianissimos) and masterly pedalling to which the diners are treated, each element adjusted to each composer yet all unmistakably Stephen Hough - vintage Hough at that, for here is a pianist at the height of his powers … A great piano recording and front runner for instrumental disc of the year' (Gramophone)

'It's hard to think of another pianist who could encompass such high seriousness - his techincal brilliance is never an alibi for superficiality in Beethoven and Mendelssohn - and high jinks within the same programme … Hough wears his virtuosity so lightly that the fantastically difficult notes seem to pour off his fingers with effortless ease. His Weber and Liszt are played with staggering bravura, his Chopin is both brilliant and wistful, and his Waltzing Matilda makes you want to laugh out loud' (Sunday Times)

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Recording details: July 2008; Henry Wood Hall, London, United Kingdom; Produced by Rachel Smith; Engineered by Tony Faulkner; Release date: March 2009;