The extraordinary pianist and former Chets student, Stephen Hough returned to Chetham’s School of Music, the place where he first learnt to play the piano on 1 December to give the final recital in Chetham’s Piano Forty series.
With the performance was sold out some 3 weeks prior, there was a lot of expectation from the packed house. Stephen Hough did not fail to wow the audience with his talent which has simply been described as “the most perfect piano playing conceivable” (The Guardian).
His programme began with an accomplished Toccata and Fugue. He then turned his programme to beautiful works by Faure, before a rousing end with Franck Prelude, Chorale and Fugue. After the interval, Hough turned his fingers to Chopin to perform Nocturne in B and the Sonata in B minor - which saw an absolutely captivating end to the concert.
Not content with performing his all in the advertised programme, Stephen treated the audience to three encores- the last of which was a piece called ‘On Fire’ which he composed.
Murray McLachlan, Head of Keyboard at Chetham’s said that the recital was “wonderful… incredible! He brought out colours we have not heard on the piano!”
After the concert, Stephen spent time to sign autographs and talk to audience members. He said: “it’s an extraordinary experience being back here at Chets, decades later!”
We were delighted to have in the audience, Stephen’s mother, who in the past played a role in the Parents Association, bringing her enthusiasm and support to Chets!
Stephen Hough’s recital is a great testament to the impressive work that Chets continues to contribute to in music education. Stephen did not come from a musical background and has now gone onto achieve the accolade as one of the most important and distinctive pianists of his generation!
A brilliant concert to end Chetham’s Piano Forty series – celebrating Chetham’s 40th Anniversary Year!
