Performer: Stephen Hough
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Hyperion
Catalogue: CDA67686
Release: 2009
Size: 213 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
01. Mendelssohn: Variations sérieuses in D minor Op. 54
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111
02. I. Maestoso – Allegro con brio ed appassionato
03. II. Arietta: Adagio
04. Weber: Invitation to the Dance, Op. 65
05. Chopin: Waltz No. 7 in C sharp minor, Op. 64 No. 2
06. Chopin: Waltz No. 2 in A flat major ‘Grande Valse Brillante’, Op. 34 No. 1
07. Saint-Saëns: Valse nonchalante, Op. 110
08. Chabrier: Feuillet d’album
09. Debussy: La plus que lente
10. Liszt: Valse oubliée No. 1, S.215 / 1
11. Liszt: Mephisto Waltz No. 1
12. anon.: Matilda’s Waltz
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.