Zsolt Bognár is a magnificent interviewer: he is always wonderfully prepared, and he asks intelligent and perceptive questions that set the subject at ease and evoke fascinating responses.
I only started listening to Classical music 5 years ago and Stephen is one of the Pianists I always enjoy listening to. He plays with elegance, touch,technique without showboating.
Stephen Hough is a delight to listen to - erudite, intelligent, well-rounded, likeable. This is such a fantastic series of interviews, and fascinating for musicians of all abilities to learn from the greats, so thank you Zsolt for making this possible.
“when you relax you start to discover your own personality. i don’t think being an individual, being original is about looking for originality-it’s about allowing yourself to blossom.”
Wow. Stephen Hough is the epitome of thoughtfulness, good sense and tolerance, as well as being a deeply fine musician. Thank you for this upload, and thank you to Zsolt Bognár for his sensitive interviewing skills. Am immensely glad I came across this episode in your series.
Thank you so much! I'm glad you liked it! In these early days I was especially nervous, and tended to say "yes" so much to agree with the guest. I'm glad it didn't get in the way too much.
One thing I have noticed from watching this series is that musicians and composers are intelligent, articulate people. (And the probing questions really brings that out.) Thank you!
That was a totally riveting interview. I love the gentle (but very insightful) questioning of the interviewer, and the way he allows the interviewee to speak at length without interrupting. Stephen Hough comes across as a truly wonderful and deep person, with a great sense of humour. I love these interviews and I'm so grateful they have been put together.
Hough knows Fr. Rutler? How amazing. I never would have known that two brilliant minds like theirs would know each other that well. I've always loved his pianistic technique, but now as a fellow religious Catholic pianist, I am becoming more and more admiring of Stephen Hough the man.
I'm really enjoying all the interviews (I watch one interview a day) from Living the Classical Life. The interviewer always asks very perceptive and intelligent (without trying to upstage) questions. The questions remind me of The Proust Questionnaire that investigates the persona of the individual. Stephen Hough is incredibly modest. As for me, a moment of bliss is when he plays Roger Quilter's "Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal" on Japanese television and Mompou's "Jeunes filles au jardin" (both available on youtube).
Just read Stephen Hough"s new book Rough Ideas, and is a fascinating read and full of interesting insights. This interview reminds me of the sort of conversations on televisions years ago in that we are listening in on a conversation between two people with the love of a common subject, and all credit to the interviewer who asks intelligent questions and actually lets Stephen answer the questions.
Thanks for the interview! For me one of the best living pianists, he plays all the works excellently, I especially love his rachmaninov interpretations 🍀
This is a phenomenal interview, it's like he's in my lounge talking to me! The interviewer is absolutely spot on with this one, not sure who he is but he did a brilliant job
I was privileged to hear him play Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 3 in C minor, last evening with the San Diego Symphony....he will repeat that performance tonight (May 23 and Sunday afternoon, May 24). I went backstage after the evening's concert, and observed his interactions up close with fans and admirers....and was struck by his warmth and friendliness and humility. He is treasure :-)
I tried to find Steve's poetry on my computer! Stephen Hough ( b.1961 ) British Pianist ( one of the finest in the world ), Composer, Award Winning Poet, Writer on Religion, and Artist. I think if I was in his shoes and I had to isolate one field of these endeavours, I would choose 'Pianist'! As that is in my view the greatest and finest expression of his genius! A very creative mind! Very modest! If you read this, Steve, don't worry about trying to isolate one area of your ability! Just remember that you have cracked it!
@@richterkleiber Thanks Zsolt! I've found his poem 'Early Rose' under 'International Poetry Competition' ( he won 1st prize in their 6th competition in 2008 ).
echoing the kind thoughts of others - this was a wonderful experience to have listened in. Wonderfully insightful - the insight on the Beethoven op111, Schubert B flat and Brahms second invited us to return to them immediately...And what a wonderful human being ..I have many of his recordings and I thank those involved in bringing this to a wider audience, though 12K seem a very exclusive number- we must promote, Promote, Promote...
people who are able bringing classical music to an organic level ? ... this would be very necessary. An organic European culture, which is not creating overnight stars....
Great interview. By the way (as a non actual english native speaker), I couldn't understand what was name of his first mentioned favorite musical piece, the one by Beethoven. Would you mind telling it to me?
I don't think he did; I understood him to mean he didn't previously feel ready for it, which is a statement of humility and of reverence for the music, not a dismissal.
