Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos 1 - 4 / Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini

Critics' Choice Gramophone Magazine 2004

"Have there been more electric recordings of these works since the composers own? This was a recording waiting to be made. Stephen Hough is a pianist of staggering virtuosity but also with a deep-seated musicality. His thorough knowledge of the Romantic repertoire makes him an ideal advocate for this music and Andrew Litton is the ideal partner, especially with his fine Dallas orchestra. The live sessions provided producer Andrew Keener with numerous challenges." - Editor's Choice - Gramophone Magazine (Awards Issue 2004)

British pianist Stephen Hough divides his time between London and New York. Since taking first prize in the Naumburg International Piano Competition in 1983 he has appeared with most of the great American orchestras and with several European orchestras, has made more than 30 recordings, published numerous articles and created both transcriptions and original compositions.

His new recording of the Rachmaninov is touched with romantic lyricism, massive chords and perilous passages. Typical of the Russian composer these are tinged with a sense of something more mysterious.