Celebrity Piano Recital: Stephen Hough

Well-known for his utterly original and revelatory performances, Stephen Hough’s recital ranges from Weber’s famous Invitation to the Dance and the devilish virtuosity of Liszt’s Mephisto Waltz through to refined dance-inspired pieces by Chopin, Chabrier, Debussy and Saint-Saens. And, if that all sounds just a touch frivolous, the first half of his recital is themed around variations and includes Beethoven’s visionary final Piano Sonata and the fragmentary lyricism of Webern.

BBC Music magazine’s Editor, Oliver Condy, explains why he has recommended tonight’s concert:

“ Stephen Hough is quite simply an overwhelmingly brilliant pianist in whatever he does. He’s a showman without the showiness, a musical poet without the pretension, he’s the perfect musician.”