Richard Fairman selects his best mid-year reads
Precision and crystalline sound quality pay dividends in these piano miniatures
From Nocturnes and Neapolitan songs to rediscovered operas and epic piano pieces, our critic’s picks of the year
These much-loved pieces seem fresh-minted as the pianist allows the melodies to sing fluently
Without the scrutiny of a live audience, some new high-performers may emerge
Album contains newly composed pieces from the UK-born pianist as well as gems by Albéniz, Elgar and Sibelius
The pianist’s thought-provoking programme juxtaposed Debussy with Schumann and Beethoven
As well as performing and composing, the polymath has found time to write a novel about faith and desire
Stephen Hough celebrates the composer’s centenary with a disc that embraces most of his works for solo piano
A beautifully sung premiere was among the works in a wide-ranging programme
A first cousin to Brahms’s two piano concertos is wholeheartedly played by Stephen Hough and the orchestra
Published 150 years ago, the perennial favourite is celebrated in 13 new works by 13 contemporary composers
Pairing of two highly individual composers comes off well — one mystical, the other rooted in human feeling
The pianist performed the world premiere of his playful new piano sonata
Cellist Steven Isserlis supplies the rush of emotion to pianist Stephen Hough’s glittering accompaniment
Stephen Hough plays 27 of the Norwegian composer’s vignettes and conveys freshness of thought and brilliance of execution
A lively opening concert celebrated diverse strands of music and showcased the event’s extraordinary pool of talent
A round-up of performances of the ‘keyboard exercise’ around which opinions still swirl furiously
There was general cause for cheer in this concert led by Andrew Manze – and impetuous virtuosity from soloist Stephen Hough
The pieces in this far-flung programme of music were tied together by their royal connections
Pianist Stephen Hough is a perfectionist and delight in precision makes him closer to the standard virtuoso in Liszt
Gritty Smetana, songful Dvorák and an eloquent tribute to Václav Havel in the latest instalment of the pianist’s Wigmore residency
The German harpsichordist keeps alive the debate over Bach’s elaborate Goldberg Variations – also known as the ‘keyboard exercise’
Stephen Hough talks about composition, Catholicism and blogging
With hundreds of young talents vying for a place in the limelight, what future awaits the world’s budding virtuosos?
UK Edition