Customer Reviews

Stephen Hough's English Piano Album

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Can I give more than 5 stars?

This is an amazing recording, unbelievable artistry -- gorgeous music, played sensitively. These are not warhorse pieces that you will necessarily recognize. Yet, despite being off the beaten trail, the music draws you in. This is one of those rarest of recordings, something different -- and yet so desirable.

Can I say something negative about this recording? Uh..no...it is English music -- which is to say not Bach, Beethoven, Brahms -- but it is sensuous music -- and by no means, dull.

I purchase over 300 Classical CDs every year. I'd be surprised if this isn't my favorite recording of 2002. I used to work in a music store when I was in college. In a couple of instances I used to "guarantee" people that they would like a particular performance or their money back. This is that kind of recording, so good I can't imagine someone not being taken in by its charm.

I wonder if the previous reviewer felt the same about this CD a few seconds after his ecstatic, climactic review. Do not be misled by the title of 'English Piano Album' for it is not a survey of english piano music but rather, as Hough explains, english piano music that means something to him. So there is no Sterndale Bennett, no Pinto et al. There are two 'rough' works included here; Rawsthorne's Bagatelles and Leighton's Studies. These will not appeal to those with delicate ears used to listener-friendly music. The other works are less astringent - my particular favourite in this collection was York Bowen's (sometimes known as the English Rachmaninov) serious dance, delicately (and seriously!) performed by Stephen Hough. Although I would not recommend this to the general music lover, I am happy to say that those interested in piano playing and rare repertoire will not be disappointed with this disc.

On a different note, I am disappointed to see that Simon Trpceski's debut album is not available on this site. It includes exceptional playing at a bargain price and I highly recommend its acquisition.

This is beautiful music from off the beaten path, played skillfully and with feeling. As a bonus, included are Hough's typically terrific liner notes. And for once, Hyperion even managed to get the duration time posted on the back to actually match that of the cd. Well done!!!

I went looking for some "off-the-beaten-path" piano CDs and took a chance on this one and I am very pleased that I did. It seems that Mr. Hough has some personal connections to the pieces - his playing has lots of nuance and there are many beautiful moments. Most of the works are peaceful, but the program is not monotonous. This is a great CD for background or for more focused listening. Most of the pieces are more or less traditional and a few are more modern (the Leighton is a bit difficult for my ear in spots but I've only listened to it once), all are finely wrought. This is one of the best CDs I have bought recently. I have also recently bought several Hamelin CDs (Scriabin, the Composer Pianists and the Liszt CD) and while his technique is certainly impressive, he seems to lack the nuance and emotive connection that Hough brings.

I had occasion to get a recording of Kenneth Leighton's "Six Studies (Study Variation) Op. 56. I had to purchase this CD as it contains the only available recording of the piece. I am very happy I did as it contains some fabulous music, which is beautifully played by Stephen Hough who contributes two short compositions of his own. The other composers, among them Alan Rawsthorne, Stephen Reynolds, Edward Elgar (how did he get in there), Stephen Reynolds, are easy to listen to. Hough has a lovely touch and the recording could not be better. The Leighton? It concludes the recording and will wake you up if you doze off while listening to the soothing, magical music, that precedes it.

Album after album this guy turns in superb performances in a range of styles and periods that is rivaled only by Marc Andre Hamelin. Read his liner notes and his essays and you will see that he is possessed of superior musical intellect which finds its way into his artistry. On the level of Pogorelich, Argerich, Volodos, Kissin, and Hamelin, differences in sheer technique are miniscule, and Hough is certainly in that league. Where he excels is in his excellence over the broadest range of musical styles. Add to that his mastery in composition and you've got the likes of virtuosi we seen too little of since Mr. Rachmaninov.

Stephen Hough has definitely established himself as one of the leading pianists of today, but he still gives us marvelously played discs of music off the beaten path. The disc at hand is a charming case in point; despite the status of British music of the last hundred years, it is interesting that they have made relatively little impact on the piano repertoire. Whether that is fair or not might be discussed, but at least this disc gives us several very fine piece, if few genuine masterpieces. Hough's own compositions are gentle salon pieces, charming but rather inconsequential - as are the Reynolds pieces; beautiful and atmospheric and well written but ultimately without much lasting power. Rawsthorne's four Bagatelles are, however, interesting pieces; the first and third are brilliant, virtuoso pieces and the second and fourth reflective (the second Allegretto innocently charming, the fourth Lento more substantial); not masterpieces, but well worth hearing.

Elgar's In Smyrna represents Elgar in lighter mood, but has memorable touches; Bantock's Song to the Seals is less effective. The contributions by York Bowen and by Frank Bridge are in many ways the highlights of the disc. Wonderfully varied, melodic works which deserve wider currency. The Six Studies by Kenneth Leighton constitute the most substantial music on the disc and exhibit a somewhat tougher language than the other pieces; they are surely technical demanding in their furious clashes of notes and clustering chords, but also ultimately very rewarding pieces of music in their own right. Needless to say, Hough's performances are absolutely superb; the more challenging works are handled with technical aplomb; the more reflective ones with delicacy and a large and finely nuanced color palette. A very satisfying, pleasant release which deserves a firm recommendation.