Composer: Edvard Hagerup Grieg, Ferencz Liszt
Performer: Stephen Hough
Orchestra: Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Andrew Litton
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Hyperion
Catalogue: CDA67824
Release: 2011
Size: 1.06 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E flat major, S124
01. I. Allegro maestoso: Tempo giusto
02. II. Quasi adagio
03. III. Allegretto vivace
04. IV. Allegro marziale animato
Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major, S125
05. I. Adagio sostenuto assai – Allegro agitato assai
06. II. Allegro moderato – Allegro deciso – Marziale, un poco meno allegro
07. III. Un poco meno mosso
08. IV. Allegro animato
Grieg: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16
09. I. Allegro molto moderato
10. II. Adagio
11. III. Allegro moderato molto e marcato
In celebration of the 200th anniversary of Franz Liszt’s birth, virtuoso pianist Stephen Hough recorded the Piano Concerto No. 1 in E flat major and the Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major, as well as Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor, a Liszt-inspired work that rounds out the program appropriately. While these warhorses are overly familiar to most classical fans, the Liszt bicentennial has given some listeners a chance to hear his concertos with new ears and find fresh things to like in them. Hough is very nearly the ideal pianist to help with any reassessment, and his clear communication of the music certainly makes everything coherent and engrossing, no matter how many times these concertos have been played or heard. The fully engaged accompaniment of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra also contributes to the performances’ high level of interest, and Andrew Litton’s alert direction is a good match for Hough’s brilliance, especially in the Liszt concertos. The Grieg concerto is a more labored composition and offers less of the fantasy, flash, and fun that Liszt provides, but Hough gives it refinement and polish, and Litton keeps the textures and tone light enough to prevent the music from descending into murkiness. Hyperion’s recording is transparent and well-balanced throughout, so all three concertos have splendid sound.