I really like this performance overall, though I had to laugh at the milking of variation 17. "You are setting up some big expectations here, people!" But they delivered dramatically, so it's all good.
It seems that perhaps he is not feeling comfortable with the orchestra, limited or no rehearsal time? His vision of this work is not shared? Some orchestral entrances may be looser than he'd like? I know there were some that felt quite uncomfortable to me, and to play something of this magnitude, the slightest trepidation is magnified geometrically. I really love his interpretation.
People are commenting, as on virtually every music video here it seems, as if they know more about music than these acclaimed musicians. Do you not feel a little presumptuous and wonder whether your opinion is actually not worth publicising?
This is not "TOO FAST" gabo & miss, you LIKE IT slower, fine so switch page ....
I love the fierce way he's playing the works of Rachmaninoff, for me Hough really is chaneling Rachmaninoff, I happen to own a recording of his playing the piece and man, does Hough pull it off! He's reallly INTO the spirit of the music, great technic to go with it, WOW
@47viviane In reply to a comment you made re Stephen Hough and the Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini - I think you have a point, because others have said the very same thing and to my mind his performance is on a par with Rachmaninoff's. I myself have never heard a performance like this - the music just leaps off the page.
He was stunning in Oklahoma City with this work last night! I sat ten feet away from him (on the second row) and am certain I was his muse.....LOL! Come back to us, Stephen!
@jwang32 I'm gonna have to disagree on the latter part. He truly brings out his musicality on the 18th variation, his dynamics are so.. Subtle, which perfectly reflects the beauty of the melody.
I him perform this tonight with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra - UNBELIEVABLE! All of us in the audience just wouldn't stop clapping - long standing ovation. what a great performance.
but what's wrong with the camera controller! should have focused on the pianist and the conductor's body language and facial expression during the transition to the 18th variation and for the most part of the variation itself. cheated!
This live broadcast of Hough playing is amazing. Hough remains one of the greatest living pianists. Have you heard Hough's CDs of the other Rachmaninov concertos yet - his playing is out of this world!
Hough has done a load of recordings for Hyperion, some great playing... I think this performance just shows his genius interpretational skills, technique and general sheer musicality!
So much lyrical freedom, one of my favorate performances of this piece, I have to admit. What I love the most, is the 15th variation (schertzando), he manages to play it so lightly, yet cleanly. WOW!
I really like this performance overall, though I had to laugh at the milking of variation 17. "You are setting up some big expectations here, people!" But they delivered dramatically, so it's all good.
705JRC 2 months ago
Absolutely incredible. I love his playing.
MrChip1959 2 months ago
5:50 he's so stoned
spencermovies 6 months ago
It seems that perhaps he is not feeling comfortable with the orchestra, limited or no rehearsal time? His vision of this work is not shared? Some orchestral entrances may be looser than he'd like? I know there were some that felt quite uncomfortable to me, and to play something of this magnitude, the slightest trepidation is magnified geometrically. I really love his interpretation.
TheRoyboy1117 6 months ago
Damn cell phone rings at 8:50
anubispai 10 months ago 5
7:07 - awesome!
dynamotrehsen 11 months ago 2
Hough is amazing here, of course, but the orchestra sounds great too!
usnhorn 1 year ago
incredibly beautiful
lola020202 1 year ago
I bet he's great in bed!
TheHamsterface 1 year ago
Thanks for keeping your videos up on You-Tube. Looking forward to hearing you in San Francisco at the Herbst Theatre May 1
LeahBrammer 2 years ago
This is what heaven sounds like....
thomasmoredamian 2 years ago
....6:05 on.....heaven to my senses....Thank you for posting this.
dugger80 2 years ago
People are commenting, as on virtually every music video here it seems, as if they know more about music than these acclaimed musicians. Do you not feel a little presumptuous and wonder whether your opinion is actually not worth publicising?
wrdna58 2 years ago
"wrdna58: TRUER WORDS WERE SELDOMLY WRITTEN!!!!
This is not "TOO FAST" gabo & miss, you LIKE IT slower, fine so switch page ....
I love the fierce way he's playing the works of Rachmaninoff, for me Hough really is chaneling Rachmaninoff, I happen to own a recording of his playing the piece and man, does Hough pull it off! He's reallly INTO the spirit of the music, great technic to go with it, WOW
47viviane 2 years ago
@47viviane In reply to a comment you made re Stephen Hough and the Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini - I think you have a point, because others have said the very same thing and to my mind his performance is on a par with Rachmaninoff's. I myself have never heard a performance like this - the music just leaps off the page.
aspergershawn 1 year ago
8:33 suena un telefono celular.
isavares 2 years ago
He was stunning in Oklahoma City with this work last night! I sat ten feet away from him (on the second row) and am certain I was his muse.....LOL! Come back to us, Stephen!
Elizabeth1952 2 years ago
He's perhaps the most technically polished player but not the most musical
jwang32 2 years ago
@jwang32 I'm gonna have to disagree on the latter part. He truly brings out his musicality on the 18th variation, his dynamics are so.. Subtle, which perfectly reflects the beauty of the melody.
Drunk3nFist 2 years ago
Hough's connected to a higher place. Even the cell phone ringing at 8:51 doesn't phase him.
Thumbs up, dude!
RobWiebe 2 years ago
Yep, a little too fast...
gabomulder 2 years ago
This seems a little fast, but it's so amazing!!
missprincess1119 2 years ago
He is just brilliant!
gogofradi 2 years ago
I him perform this tonight with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra - UNBELIEVABLE! All of us in the audience just wouldn't stop clapping - long standing ovation. what a great performance.
luscic 3 years ago 2
I was at the same TSO concert and would have to agree. I've always liked the way he plays v18.
(I also enjoyed his Debussy encore!)
toln1976 3 years ago 2
This man's playing is unbelievable! Not only is it technically brilliant, musically the man is already legendary.
playgued 3 years ago 2
I think the part where the trumpets/brass instruments come in (because I'm no good with instruments ;p) is amazing - around 0.37 and 0.39
ohbakax 3 years ago
Oh, but his sad little half-smile at the very end! A look that says "That could have gone better..." Nonsense, Stephen. It was beautiful!
mixedcake000 3 years ago 11
but what's wrong with the camera controller! should have focused on the pianist and the conductor's body language and facial expression during the transition to the 18th variation and for the most part of the variation itself. cheated!
eggizgud 3 years ago
This live broadcast of Hough playing is amazing. Hough remains one of the greatest living pianists. Have you heard Hough's CDs of the other Rachmaninov concertos yet - his playing is out of this world!
SMQ2007SMQ 4 years ago
Never heard of this Stephen Hough; but will definetely keep my eyes open for him in the future. Wonderful!
If the audience's got any sense of decency they will have lynched that nut with the phone!
Winchester1973 4 years ago 4
Hough has done a load of recordings for Hyperion, some great playing... I think this performance just shows his genius interpretational skills, technique and general sheer musicality!
So much lyrical freedom, one of my favorate performances of this piece, I have to admit. What I love the most, is the 15th variation (schertzando), he manages to play it so lightly, yet cleanly. WOW!
birminghamcritic1987 3 years ago
Stupid phone. I Love the 18th variation <333
EvMarkay 4 years ago
Someone's cell phone started ringing around 8:51!
But very beautifully played.
dogchow13 4 years ago
Of all the movements, a phone goes off during the 18th. This is making me rethink my position on capital punishment...
tafari127 4 years ago 24
Very brilliant and musically played.
porfyr 4 years ago
Love the 18th Variation, plays it very well.
Morfee 4 years ago