Stephen Hough Essentials

Stephen Hough is that rare classical polymath—virtuoso pianist, composer and scholar, to say nothing of his skills as a painter. He’s known best for his playing, whether solo or in orchestral settings. His breathtaking versatility reveals a voracious curiosity and deep grasp of history. Hough moves with deceptive ease between his glowing tone and delicate touch on Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 and the clarity and bite of his fleet movements on Liszt’s Mephisto Waltz No. 1. His sharp curatorial instincts are clear on his own solo recordings, which routinely make unexpected connections and illustrate Hough’s holistic investment in music.