Interact & Reviews / Reviews

John Summers
The Roussel was lovely. The Rachmaninov was rushed and at times the pianist and orchestra seemed not to be 'together'. The Musgrave was interesting. La Mer was beautiful with a final movement that was quite stunning.

Nigel Harris
I stood through the concerto just wondering if they had practised together at all, as orchestra and soloist seemed to have totally different ideas as to hwo the piece should go. La Mer seemed a little lightweight and left me unmoved. It is a shame when the best thing about a concert is the opening item.

Ian Beresford
I couldn't agree more with Angela Hauch's review of the Rach2 Piano Concerto. I've never heard such a quick rendition (lasting only 30 mins), and it was littered with wrong notes from the pianist, starting as early as the 2nd minute or so into the 1st movement. I think this Concerto needs to be played at a dream-like pace so that all the lovely melodies and harmonies can be taken in by the listener before moving on to the next one. It was impossible to keep up with Steven Hough's pace and I found myself thinking (like him, probably!!) that I'll be glad when it's all over! I'll never understand how he's come to win awards for his recordings of this and other Rachmaninov concertos.

Christina Irving
Absolutely agree about the Rachmaninov, though there were brief moments of perfection,when Deneve stood perfectly still, and gazed at Hough, as if to savour the ecstacy. The third movement, especially, had sections where I felt the soloist had left the race track and was going it alone. Quite difficult when playing with such a phenomonal orchestra. The rest of the programme was superb,and wonderfully played and conducted. The Rainbow was an unexpected gem, as Musgrave was unknown. Bravo to the RNSO.

Gavin Evans
Shame that after such a wonderful start with the Roussel that Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No.2 was so terrible. The orchestra and Stephen Hough had no connection, most of the time I felt Stephen was rushing the orchestra; generally the tempi were just too fast throughout. This was indicated even more right at the end when the horns decided to play at a different, slower tempo in a section to everyone else. Wrong notes are excusable if the phrasing is there from the pianist but there seemed to be simply none. I've never wanted a piece that I love to end so quickly in my life. The second half was pleasant enough but I don't really think I was paying complete attention as I was still in shock at the Rachmaninov.

Kevin
From the opening bars of the Rachmaninov Piano Concerto I got the impression that Stephen Hough wanted to get off the stage as quickly as possible. He murdered the piece by rushing what should have been a deep and rich introduction. I also spotted what I thought were moments when piano and orchestra were not together. Disappointing. Stephen was right to hand the bouquet of flowers to a promenader at the end as in my opinion he did not deserve them. As for the rest of the program, not knowing the works as well the concerto, I thought the orchestra gave a good performance although not sending me on my way with a high level of excitement.

Chris
Astounding performance. Subtle and close. Stephen Hough was truly on form this evening. Played as Rachmaninov did himself. La Mer left me speechless. Conducted with passion and you felt this through the whole audience. I counted five curtain calls.

Angela Hauch
I thought the Roussel was wonderful. I know nothing about this composer at all, so Bacchus et Ariane was a welcome introduction for me.

Thea Musgrave also new for me, and I loved Rainbow. But I did think Stephen Hough absolutely murdered the 2nd Piano Concerto. What happened to the tempo? Why did so much of it seem to sound as if soloist and orchestra needed to finish as quickly and noisily as possible? Why weren't Rachmaninov's rich and rounded sounds allowed to speak for themselves? Shame, I thought. La Mer just has to be conducted by a French person!