Stephen Hough review – high seriousness and imaginative intelligence

Barbican, London
With works by Schubert, Franck and Lizst, and the premiere of his own third sonata, the pianist took his audience on a spiritual journey from darkness to light

Even by Stephen Hough’s standards, this Barbican recital was a musical event of exceptional interest and reward.

Hough’s scintillating technique and characteristically sparkling sound can perhaps be assumed these days, though of course they never should be. What gripped the attention from start to finish as well, however, was the high seriousness of the playing and the imaginative intelligence that Hough brought to the programme and its individual parts.

Continue reading...