Sunday, November 23, 2008, 4 p.m.
Program
J.S. Bach-Cortot-Hough: Toccata and Fugue in D minor
Fauré: Nocturne No. 6 in D-flat, op. 63
Impromptu No. 5 in F-sharp minor, op. 102
Barcarolle No. 5 in F, op. 66
Franck: Prelude, Choral and Fugue
Copland: Piano Variations
Chopin: Nocturne in B, op. 62, no. 1
Sonata in B minor, op. 58
On Sunday, November 23, 2008, at 4 p.m., Stephen Hough will appear on the second concert of the Wilton Candlelight Concerts season. This marks Mr. Hough’s third performance for the series. Widely regarded as one of the most important and distinctive pianists of his generation, Mr. Hough is well-known as a music scholar as well as pianist. He is renowned for his performances of the core recital repertoire in recital as well as his interest in neglected 19th century works. Mr. Hough integrates the imagination and pianistic color of the past with the scholarship and intellectual rigor of the present, illuminating the very essence of the music he plays. He was awarded a prestigious MacArthur Fellowship in 2001 in recognition of his achievements, joining prominent scientists, writers and others who have made unique contributions to contemporary life. And in December 2007, the Northwestern University School of Music in Chicago announced that Stephen has been chosen to be the second recipient of the Jean Gimbel Lane Prize in Piano Performance.
Since winning first prize in the Naumburg International Piano Competition in 1983, Stephen Hough has appeared with most of the major American and European orchestras and plays recitals regularly in the major halls and concert series around the world. He is also a guest at festivals such as Salzburg, Mostly Mozart, Aspen, Ravinia, Tanglewood, Blossom, the Hollywood Bowl, Edinburgh, Aldeburgh and the BBC Proms, where he has made over a dozen concerto appearances. Recent engagements include performances with the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic, London Symphony, London Philharmonic and the orchestras of San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, St. Louis, Atlanta, Detroit, Cincinnati, Toronto and Dallas.
Stephen Hough is a Hyperion recording artist, and many of his catalogue of over 40 CDs have garnered international prizes. Recordings of concertos by Rachmaninoff, Saint-Saëns, Hummel, Scharwenka and Sauer as well as Mompou’s solo piano music and two Liszt recitals have won multiple awards. He has received recognition from Gramophone Magazine (seven awards including “Record of the Year” in 1996 and 2003) as well as the Deutsche Schallplattenpreis and several Grammy nominations.
The November 23rd performance will take place at the Wilton Congregational Church, just north of Wilton center on Route 33. Tickets will be available at the door one-half hour before the concert and are $25 ($10 for students). For more information on this concert or on subscriptions to the Candlelight series or to request a brochure, phone 203-762-3401 or 203-762-5019. Candlelight Concerts benefits the Wilton Library. Individual and corporate contributions are gratefully accepted.