Stephen Hough - Living the Classical Life: Episode 9

[@donaldwright6617]

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.

[@richterkleiber]

Thank you so so much, Don--and thank you for your incredible support. Hope to catch up soon!

[@vivatmusica]

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.

[@suzyserling277]

Zsolt Bognar, the best interviewer!!, excellent listener, caring, brilliant!!…Thank you!

[@MrYoumitube]

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.

[@Erik83474]

What a fantastic, fascinating man & artist!

[@quaver1239]

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.

[@LivingtheClassicalLife]

Thank you for watching, Oudtshoornify, and for your kind words!

[@richterkleiber]

Thank you so much for this incredible feedback!

[@carinadavid3382]

@@LivingtheClassicalLife 1

[@071949]

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!

[@richterkleiber]

I'm so glad you thought so--thank you so much for watching!

[@kinglear5952]

I agree. This is a remarkably civilised and human series. I'm enthralled by what interesting and and insightful people they all are.

[@ganjamozart1435]

The interviewer is brilliant, builds an excellent rapport and only asks insightful questions.

[@richterkleiber]

Thank you so much for this amazing feedback!

[@katehunt8029]

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.

[@LivingtheClassicalLife]

We're grateful for your kind words, Kate Hunt!

[@K43TOC]

the interviewer does an excellent job.

[@richterkleiber]

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.

[@FORTEPodcast]

I love Hough's presence on screen and on the stage! Very relaxing to listen to!

[@jack2262]

We need more people like this in the world.

[@richterkleiber]

Agreed!

[@gchang916]

Both Mr. Hough and the interviewer are most excellent!

[@LivingtheClassicalLife]

Thanks for watching, gchang916!

[@johnkearns35]

What a kind, intelligent man! Classy, and a superb pianist!!

[@chaliceguard4575]

So true! Perspective increases with age and experience. A very wise man blessed with tremendous talent, while remaining humble. So rare.

[@richterkleiber]

Thank you for watching!

[@deborahallen877]

What a joy - what a privilege to share in that conversation. Thank you both so very much!

[@LivingtheClassicalLife]

Thanks for watching, and for your kind words, Deborah Allen!

[@richterkleiber]

We are so happy you like it!

[@Pachelbel_PaperDarts]

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).

[@richterkleiber]

That's amazing feedback--thank you!

[@michaelshahabi]

I love the humility and his immaculate technique

[@jahkneeboi]

“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.”

[@reallynotpc]

A man of considerable charm, and with a very pleasant voice. Apart from the other little things, of course.

[@LivingtheClassicalLife]

Thanks for watching, Philip Cresswell!

[@eleanormeynell502]

What excellent and perceptive questions, delivered with unselfconscious integrity , and such honest answers, so comforting somehow- bravo!

[@richterkleiber]

Thank you so so much for this incredible feedback--so glad you like it!

[@timothypoulter8285]

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.

[@richterkleiber]

Thank you so much for this incredible feedback!

[@wenqianrudnick4917]

Agree, the interviewer is incredible too

[@susan_mclaughlin]

Captivating interview with the fascinating Mr. Hough. One gets the feeling of elevation and time well spent in Mr. Hough's presence. Thank you.

[@richterkleiber]

So glad you felt that way, too!

[@jason101other]

Incredibly intelligent, very wise, highly articulate, analytical and brilliant mind, and an amazing g pianist.

[@Entertainer114]

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.

[@catherinelittlebear9863]

What a highly inspiring interview! Thank you!

[@sabbysingh5744]

Rachmaninoff concertos recording is breathtaking

[@lukeserrano62]

Wonderful interview.

[@LivingtheClassicalLife]

Thanks for watching, Luke Serrano!

[@FlowEckurt]

Thanks for the interview! For me one of the best living pianists, he plays all the works excellently, I especially love his rachmaninov interpretations 🍀

[@LivingtheClassicalLife]

Thanks for watching, floweckurt!

[@1trschaefer78]

What a wonderful conversation!!

[@anachreon01]

I have a friend, now a concert organist in Basel, whose school report read [Sport] "Swims well at own level".

[@richterkleiber]

:-) I like that

[@mkeysou812]

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

[@LivingtheClassicalLife]

Thanks for watching!

[@53aleksandra]

So grateful for this wonderful interview…Grateful for Your Artistry and Humbleness..

[@richterkleiber]

So glad you liked it!

[@clarkebynum4623]

I had the great pleasure of meeting Stephen Hough a few months ago in Boston. one of the warm human beings I've ever met!

[@richterkleiber]

Agreed!

[@michaelshahabi]

The best interviewer!!!

[@LivingtheClassicalLife]

Glad you enjoyed it, Michael shahabi!

[@bifeldman]

Lovely thoughtful man.

[@richterkleiber]

Completely agree!

[@marksiegmund17]

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 :-)

[@richterkleiber]

He is one of the warmest and most unpretentious persons I ever met--so glad you think so too!

[@HankDrake]

Such a delightful and insightful conversation.

[@richterkleiber]

Thanks as always, Hank!

[@stefanbernhard2710]

Fantastic interview of one of my favorites.

[@richterkleiber]

Thank you so so much, as always! :-)

[@cygnusne]

Great interview and interviewer !! Thank you !

[@richterkleiber]

Thank you so so much for this feedback!

[@mikefuller6959]

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 so much for watching!

[@sherlockholmeslives.1605]

@@richterkleiber Thanks Zsolt! I've found his poem 'Early Rose' under 'International Poetry Competition' ( he won 1st prize in their 6th competition in 2008 ).

[@ygx0zan3nikita11]

22:35 - I believe the pianist Stephen Hough is talking about is Raymond Lewenthal, who often would wear a cape and a top hat on stage.

[@richterkleiber]

Lewenthal was a tremendous pianist--I hope you can find his Symphonic Etudes from the Frick Collection--whoa Nellie!

[@musicguyrml]

Just beautiful...

[@karolinamanka2113]

Wonderful person and great interview. Thank you!

[@richterkleiber]

Thank you so much--glad you liked it!

[@dewittreeve4345]

Two impressive people.

[@LivingtheClassicalLife]

Thanks for watching, Dewitt Reeve!

[@pambalke8384]

What an authentic, real and honest person.l

[@whoisthispianist01]

Fascinating. Thanks

[@whoisthispianist01]

Peter Hobbs always a pleasure Peter

[@richterkleiber]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@nicksatie4722]

great human

[@robinontheradio]

What piece is played in the intro?

[@richterkleiber]

That's the Beethoven Concerto 1, second movement :-)

[@laurencejames8108]

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...

[@laurencejames8108]

i have and I am following you folks on Twitter as well

[@laurencejames8108]

make that your newsletter

[@richterkleiber]

Thank you so much for your feedback!

[@wotan10950]

Besides being a singular artist, Hough has some remarkable insights on why gays and Jews have often expressed themselves artistically.

[@richterkleiber]

I was wondering if I could dare ask him about the subject, and I was happy that I did! Thank you so much for watching.

[@johnkiunke4508]

Today years old when I learned it was pronounced 'Huff'

[@marchaefner8306]

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....

[@Steppenziege]

Can someone tell me what piece is played in the beginning?

[@AlexPashkov]

This Beethoven's First Piano concerto,second mvmnt...

[@DuncanEduardo]

Title should be "Stephen Hough the Polymath".

[@ruyfaco]

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?

[@richterkleiber]

I'm trying to recall which one he mentions!! I hope I can find it to tell you!

[@K43TOC]

this guy is so funny!!!!

[@richterkleiber]

I love his easy charm and humor!

[@PieInTheSky9]

TIL his last name is pronounced "Huff" not "Hoog"

[@richterkleiber]

Indeed :-)

[@bartoklover9884]

his eyes

[@richterkleiber]

Full of life :-)

[@patricknyman727]

Lol he’s like Bolsonaro

[@ttrons2]

I can't take a pianist seriously that denies Bach

[@francispott8386]

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.