Stephen Hough Plays Brahms First Piano Concerto Pt. 1

[MrStrav81]

He doesn't play the very end straight enough. It's hard to follow the pianist when you do that. There is a musical quality to playing it without holding back the melody too.

[anubier]

Von vielen Pianisten interpretiert, hier jedoch in einer unbeschreiblich hohen Dramatik gespielt, so dass man spürt, wie sehr dieser Satz den Interpreten bewegt.

[gsg5master]

Breath taking!

[spicyapplecake]

I loved it. The sudden darting eye contact with Fischer is a bit disconcerting though! I like the way this clip is edited - we get to see not only Hough but also Fischer conducting (my hero) and several shots of the orchestra.

[bryan21tx]

To me the facial expressions can be a window into the performer's interpretation. It's not always that way and some performers are more statuesque like Argerich. I tend to like the part in the first 35 seconds of this video less engaged and dialed in, more relaxed to help handle the drama of the more tempestuous moments. His interpretation is pretty awesome though and it does walk the fine line between too much testosterone and just right. I think that's a good balance for this movement.

[berlinzerberus]

strange facial expression at the beginning!

[idd00772002]

Does anyone knows what an extended excerpt is?  Is it an excerpt from the original piece or is it another piece of music

[snaaptaker]

@idd00772002 This is an excerpt from the original piece--pretty much the second half of the first movement.

For some reason, the uploader started the video about half-way through the movement.

[cakeman1955]

I just saw him on Saturday Feb. 26, 2011 in delaware(usa) playing 5 sonatas by Beethoven, Liszt, and Scriabim. Small venue holding only 270 people and we were 2 rows back on his right shoulder. Perfect. He is quite excellent! Second best living pianist i have seen. Watts being the best. Also raninto him later at a small restaurant with a seating capacity of about 15. Nice gentleman.

[Mgglawrence]

@cakeman1955

Wow, did you get his autograph or speak to him?

[TheVaccumtube]

good pianist, he played it very well.

[KtaSophia]

Sublime. music full of emotion.!

[mrboppman1]

This is a LION of a pianist ! pure emotion guided by the finest knowledge,technique, and instincts !!

[nucleard]

Way beyond "maybe" my favorite piano concerto. This defines the genre. One of the crowning achievements of Western Civilization. Brahms's best friend throwing himself into the river.... good God almighty the passion!

Hough is brilliant here... Thank you, Stephen. Thank you, Johannes.... good gracious, I'm beyond words!

[OrangeSodaKing]

I didn't think I could get past John Ogdon's performance, but I also like this one! Pianist, orchestra, and conductor do very well. Congratulations to the pianist!

[TheRealSlipperman]

Ripping rendition. Nearly perfect from a technical keyboard perspective. Orchestra is fairly tight as well. All comes down to the conducting. Which is OK considering that Hough leans WELL over the bar in so many spots and it's like keeping a rocket propelled golf cart EXACTLY 10 inches away from a runaway train through the Swiss Alps. Not an abject critique. Just how Hough feels the music.

[vibrohm]

shiiiiit that was gooood, too goood im meeelting away in awesome Brahmsness, shiiiiiit

[RestInPeaceDecency]

Don't forget to turn on the sound, else the rolling open eyes of that guy could give more nightmares than his great playing could give to me !!! ;-p

[Bognarfan]

Very powerful and full of beautiful colors. I can hardly wait to hear this in person at Blossom Festival on July 31st!!!

[bagdad4]

@Bognarfan oh lucky! how did he go?

[Bognarfan]

@bagdad4 He was outstanding and played with great feeling and intensity. He got 5 curtain calls. I was wishing he'd do an encore, but no such luck. I bought his new Chopin CD and he autographed it and my program for me. That was just heaven!

[TheHamsterface]

Is it normal for me to find his facial expressions and movements at 1:32-1:40 quite erotic? I love the way he looks serious and deep in concentration for most of the time, but seeing him 'lose control' a bit is so arousing!

[Firejack95]

Erotic? Well, maybe for you, but I found 2:02 - 2:21 hilarious.

[TheHamsterface]

@Firejack95

And what do you find so hilarious about that particular section??!!

I just have the hots for him and I thought he looks a bit like he might during sexual climax (sort of!).  Am I weird?

[Firejack95]

I find his hair hilarious. I just can't stop watching it bounce. His head wobbles so much. He's like Jay Leno playing the piano.

It depends, you are a lady, correct?

[mrboppman1]

@Firejack95 But what do you think of his playing?

[georgerannie]

oh PULEEZE! Ain't no way Stephen Hough is inspired by Clang Clang. His playing of the Brahms !st is marvelous indeed.

[terrygowork]

Whats wrong with him>  He starts being inspired by Lang Lang?

[brahms1691]

1:30

[Haeronthegreat]

I also adore his recording of the 2nd concerto - it is truly divine.

[Frozentoes1]

I agree. In fact, I can't thing of any "bad" recording of Mr. Hough; he is an excellent all-round super virtuoso.

You should also have a listen at Marc-Andre Hamlin's recording of the No. 2. Equally superb!

[wildejag]

Regarding Stephen Hough, I love him. I was just at his recording of Tschaikowsky 1. It was a fantastic success. I really enjoy his CD, My Favorite Things.

[SebastienLoong]

Hough is a warrior.

[frenchmusician12]

maybe my favorite piano concerto and I truly love this interpretation. the passion is so right. Used to play this in college, but here is the master at work. Very humbling.

[elgar34]

Just trying to clear away the tears. Incredible music making, thank-you Mr. Hough.

[Klavierstuck]

Stephen is a truly wonderful pianist and always a joy to listen to even if you might disagree with his conception of a particular piece - like all great artists he presents his vision in a convincing manner. He has a terrific blog on the Daily Telegraph website where he reveals himself as a thoroughly cultured human being - and a good writer too!

[hotposer1]

Stunning friend!

You are the man.

Love you.

john

[FranzofL]

fantastic!

[GeorgeMaxwellDuPre]

This guy has always been among my favourite piainists since I heard his MacDowell recordings and his own transcriptions. It's a pity he is not more well known. What does he do? Is he attached to a conservatory as well etc. Someone please provide some information.

[sagalat]

still sensational. rivals leon fleisher's old one with Wm Steinberg. Or someone

[kissmybuttdimple]

outstanding... all the way around.

[john2000young]

Best Rendition.

This guy knows Brahms.

[Alsterpianist]

Great Performance - full of energy and emotions both the performer and the orchestra,

Delight and Passionate.

This Hall's design is very beautiful.

[sll10]

Mr. Hough will go down as one of this generation's greatest pianists! EXCELLENT!

[rinforzato]

That rocks!! - Some modern, non-competition-made live-performance - Great! But anyway, he reminds me a little bit of Phill Collins, don't know why... :-)

[shela2]

I am proud to be British and happy to think that we have produced one of the Great Pianists of all time, he has a depth of feeling and understanding..heaven sent...

[Endeavour88]

Bravissimo! Solo un po' troppa scena...ma bravo!

[Piacevole]

His Liszt double CD from early in his career is still my favorite. Mephisto Walz, Spanish Rhapsody, Tarantella.. it's all the best of the best recordings if you ask me.

[cesar314]

I agree entirely. Every performance is flawless--a masterpiece.

[reaperman2004]

Jesus christ - I can't believe it - 15 years of playing piano and 4 years at University studying music and I have never heard of him until today.

Christ he's good... he's up there with Pollini and Michelangeli for sure...

wow - I definately want to play this piece in a few years - thats for sure.

[Schamschi]

With Maurizio "Plug-in" Pollini maybe, but certainly not with Michelangeli.

[reaperman2004]

Oh come on... You've got to admit that although Michelangeli doesn't have a huge repertoire, he plays with feeling and in todays age - that's fucking hard to find with all these youngsters bashing the keys away - Lang Lang, Yundi Li, Evgeny Kissin (in some performances)..

However the one thing that Pollini, Michelangeli and Hough have in common is that they play with the most intricate care at expression...

THAT'S what makes a great Concert Pianist!!!

[Schamschi]

I was rather thinking the other way round... I don't like Pollini very much, yet I think Michelangeli is a great pianist. But you can't compare Pollini and Hough anyway. I don't dislike Hough, I just cannot come to terms with his playing. Well, whatever, I was a bit harsh, which was probably more because of my dislike of Pollini than because of Hough's playing.

[reaperman2004]

If you can find Brahms 2nd Piano Concerto played by Pollini - it's worth a watch... The man is incredible at it. So far I haven't seen anyone play it any better...

[Schamschi]

I have... well, the recording with Arrau I have is audio only, but all the same. Apparently, you and I have different tastes regarding pianists...

[reaperman2004]

Well I suppose everyone's entitled to their opinion... and I respect that...

Had you told me that you thought Richard Kastle was a genius however - then I'd have to ridicule you incessantly. :)

[TheHanslick]

Have you heard André Watts with Bernstein and NY Philharmonic?

[reaperman2004]

Actually... I haven't.

[zurzica51]

LOL

[cadaveresquisito]

goose bumps every time.

thank you, Sir !

It's an honour to watch every performance.

[ankhaton]

Then

search

ANKHATON +LIZST

[TheGreatRichter]

Stephen is one of the finest concert pianists on the platform today and anyone from Britain should be proud he is British. He has won numourous awards for his outstanding playing.I have a liszt disc of his,outstanding!.His Rachmaninov piano concertos are to be admired too.

[poetmale]

I was moved to tears by this extraordinary performance. Mr. Hough is bleeding every note as a matter exceeding life and death. In deep gratitude.

[saintdracula]

Wow! You're put it so beautifully. You're a true poet.

[fsharpmajor]

Stephen is performing the Brahm's No1 at the QE Hall Southbank Centre London on 06 November. I will be there. Fantastic!!!

[cesar314]

I have always loved Hough's playing. He and Michelangeli have the best trills I've ever heard. This is not my favorite of his performances, but it is still brilliant and fresh. And yes, I'd say he's one of the best pianists around (don't forget that Brendel, Argerich, Ashkenazy, etc. are still performing!).

[fsharpmajor]

Nearly as good as the Gould preformance of 1962. I love Stephen Hough's pianism and virtuosity. Have seen him many times in concerts. Keep up the magnificent work Mr Hough

[ankhaton]

Nearly ?

[csutilla]

Very original and expressive.Bravo!

[kkloca]

buen criterio para tocar tiene

[139steven]

Beautiful

[afertyus1000]

BRAVO

[AdamDavies13]

Very Good??!!! He's the best pianist around

[hotposer]

Who is the dum-dum complaining of Stephen's rhythmic integrity?

You can't even spell the word correctly..........

"Mr. Hough works very hard," No kidding.

Mucho estupido!

John Nauman

[Johnnyyoo]

I just saw Stephen Hough perform last night at the Lobero theater in SB. He is very good.

[citlalliguevara]

Mr Hough is amazing!

[Mani3151989]

very thoughtfully and beautifully played. very good pianist and orchestra!

thx

[headdphonness]

just... wow

[weisskeinen]

great! he is amazing

[ifarn]

just... wow

[jre58591]

awesome!! where did you get this from?