Stephen Hough
British-born Australian pianist, composer, teacher, writer and painter Stephen Hough was born in Heswall on 22 November 1961 and grew up in Thelwall. He began piano lessons at five and studied at Chetham's School of Music, at the Royal Northern College of Music and at Juilliard.
Following a series of competition wins and awards, he began a career as a piano soloist, recording more than sixty albums, some of them award-winning, and championing less well known composers such as York Bowen, Johann Nepomuk Hummel and Federico Mompou.
His compositions and transcriptions have been performed quite widely, and he often includes them in his own recitals.
He teaches at the Royal Academy of Music in London, at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and at Juilliard. His writings cover musical subjects and much more, and his paintings have been exhibited in London. He took Australian citizenship in honour of his father, who wanted to return to Australia but was unable to.
A selection of articles about Stephen Hough
Ensemble. Satisfyingly Impressive and Exciting - Ron Bierman listens to Musorgsky, Rachmaninov and Elgar in San Diego
Ensemble. A World-class Orchestra - Mike Wheeler is impressed by the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and chief conductor Eva Ollikainen
CD Spotlight. Highly Rewarding - Gerald Fenech is impressed by Stephen Hough's interpretations of piano music by Catalan composer Federico Mompou. '... Stephen Hough's marvellous passion for this music is displayed in his unique ability to bring out all the subtleties of these incomparable scores.'
Astonishing Control - Mike Wheeler experiences a completely transfixed audience at Chinese-born pianist Ji Liu's recital of music by Stephen Hough, Debussy, Ji Liu, Beethoven, York Bowen and Stravinsky
Ensemble. Expressive Progression - Mike Wheeler enjoys a concert by Stephen Hough, Mark Elder and the Hallé Orchestra
Beautifully Judged - Brahms, Beethoven and Nikolay Kapustin from Julian Clef, heard by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Puckish Effervesence - A piano recital by Stephen Hough, heard by the late Howard Smith. '... music from the sublime to the Antipodean.'
Ensemble. All the Magic of the Original - Piano arrangements played by Jenny Lin, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. A Canny Pairing - Mike Wheeler listens to Stephen Hough, Mark Elder and the Hallé Orchestra
Ensemble. Mesmerising Stillness - Stephen Hough joins Marin Alsop and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Serious Intentions - Bill Newman listens to Stephen Hough
CD Spotlight. Somewhat Lacklustre - Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich, heard by Howard Smith. '... a tumultuous, dynamic conclusion.'
Musical Insight - Two piano recitals in Brisbane, reviewed by Gillian Wills
Ensemble. A masterclass in performing Mozart - A concert by Stephen Hough, Mark Elder and the Hallé Orchestra delighted Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. A collector's item - Stephen Isserlis and Stephen Hough play Rachmaninov and Franck, admired by John Bell Young. '... the rapport between Mr Isserlis and Mr Hough is on the order of the clairvoyant.'