World-class pianist dazzles at concert

World-class pianist Stephen Hough played at Perth Concert Hall last Saturday.

There were two pieces by Cécile Chaminade: Automne and Autrefois.

Stephen Hough played both with utmost charm and finesse.

Automne had delicate outer sections with rubato to perfection and a ‘with fire’ Autumn storm.

Autrefois was indeed ‘in the past’ with keyboard echoes of clavecinistes in harpsichord turns of phrase serenely looking back with a smile, and a toccata centre.

Hough’s subtle playing made these pieces sparkle with light.

Darkness descended abruptly, going straight into

Liszt’s mighty b minor Sonata.

The Concert Hall Steinway loved Hough’s touch and give clarity and menace to the first mini-climax.

Transforming to the big theme it had true grandeur. With immaculate dynamic range and voicing, true Romantic feeling, he brought ardour, elation and excitement to this piece.

Liszt’s virtuoso sections were played with power and emotion. Yet in the slow sections his passion glowed, descending into a radiant sunset. Then Liszt’s imp explodes into a fugue, changing to nobility for the true grand climax. A pause, then the build-down with affection. A towering performance.

Chaminade’s Theme and Variations, of delightful music box sound, and The Fauns, one adult, one a sprightly chatterbox, who gets the last word, ran straight into Chopin’s Sonata No.3, also in b minor but a much more classical work.

Hough rushed the maestoso first movement, almost incoherent in the development.

Its wonderful tune, though, was given purple treatment. A light-as-air Scherzo led to the Largo, eloquently played with ravishing tone.

The rolling finale was again a little fast for comfort, but the enthusiasm of the audience repeatedly brought Stephen Hough back for two encores: Sinding’s: Rustle of Spring and Grieg’s Lyric Piece To Spring.