Hough Plays Grieg.

 

Grieg:

  • Lyric Pieces.

I have enjoyed the wonderful performances of pianist Stephen Hough for many years. I also like listening to Hough’s own compositions, although I don’t yet know many of them.

On this CD, Mr. Hough returns to the music of Edvard Grieg, and I can hear an affinity and connection that the pianist has with this composer.

We get to enjoy the following:

Grieg:

Lyric Pieces Op. 12: No. 1 – Arietta
Lyric Pieces Op. 38: No. 1 – Berceuse
Lyric Pieces Op. 38: No. 6 – Elegy
Lyric Pieces III (6), Op. 43

Valse-Impromptu, Op. 47 No. 1

Lyric Pieces Op. 47: No. 3 – Melody
Lyric Pieces Op. 47: No. 7 – Elegy
Lyric Pieces Op. 54: No. 3 – March of the Trolls
Lyric Pieces Op. 54: No. 4 – Nocturne
Lyric Pieces Op. 54: No. 6 – Bell-Ringing
Lyric Pieces Op. 57: No. 6 – Homesickness
Lyric Pieces Op. 62: No. 1 – Sylph

From early years, Op. 65 No. 1

Lyric Pieces Op. 65: No. 4 – Salon
Lyric Pieces Op. 65: No. 6 – Wedding Day at Troldhaugen
Lyric Pieces Op. 68: No. 2 – Sailors’ Song
Lyric Pieces Op. 68: No. 3 – At your feet
Lyric Pieces Op. 68: No. 5 – At the cradle
Lyric Pieces Op. 71: No. 2 – Summer’s Eve
Lyric Pieces Op. 71: No. 3 – Puck
Lyric Pieces Op. 71: No. 7 – Remembrances
Lyric Pieces Op. 62: No. 6 – Homeward

Performed by Stephen Hough, piano.

Over the years. Grieg’s Lyric Pieces have attracted many pianists to perform them. Their individual beauty played a part in this, of course, but even more so did their tonal colors and transparency.

For this new recording Stephen Hough has chosen twenty-seven (of the sixty-six), a generous selection encompassing every nuance of emotion, every tone of his pianistic mastery.

The Guardian wrote on the 28th April 2015:

“His performances are wonderfully direct, without a trace of indulgence…With Hough, the music always comes first.”

Here is Stephen Hough in some highlights from this new recording, available May 5th:

 

 

Tags: Stephen Hough, pianist, Edvard Grieg, Lyric Pieces