Stephen Hough in Recital is the product of a concert programme that Hough performed worldwide during 2007-8. Hough writes: ‘This recital divides in the middle to form two, highly contrasting, mini-recitals.’ The theme of the tour (and this disc) is Variations and Waltzes and it is Mendelssohn’s Variations sérieuses opens the recital. This deceptive work’s gentle theme soon gives way to a set of seventeen extremely challenging variations that entirely live up to their title of “serious”. Beethoven’s final piano sonata, Op. 111 (which earns its place on this disc due to the variations in the second movement), is mammoth and here Hough has captured just the right amount of tension and fieriness. After such a substantial work, the remainder of the disc is given up to shorter pieces, giving us waltzes by Weber, Chopin, Saint-Saens, Chabrier, Debussy and Liszt, closing with one of Hough’s own arrangements (on Waltzing Matilda). This change in pace suits the recital well – after such a meaty first half, these shorter, delicate waltzes are welcome. Some of them are familiar (for example those by Chopin and Liszt) whilst others were new to me: Saint-Saens’s Valse nonchalante is a beautifully whimsical work in which Hough revels. Hough’s own notes on the music make for interesting reading, particularly his discussion on the various waltzes. Hough arranged the popular song, Waltzing Matilda, for the Australian leg of his tour, wanting to ‘give Matilda the chance to fulfil her destiny…three-in-a-bar!’ (the song is originally in 4/4 time). It seems to me that the collection on this disc makes an apt souvenir of Stephen Hough’s tour and honours his aim to bring together a unique and varied programme.

Reviewed by Ruth Squire