Photo: Oregon Symphony
While it was great to hear the entire second act of The Nutcracker with the orchestra front and center (and sans dancers), and to hear the seldom-heard Coronation March, the main focus of our just concluded classical series devoted to Tchaikovsky was his mammoth Second Piano Concerto with Stephen Hough as soloist. This was the uncut version, with the major solo parts (for what amounts to a piano trio within a piano concerto) for violin and cello restored to the second movement (played with great skill and panache by concertmaster Jun Iwasaki and principal cellist Nancy Ives).
Hough is an astonishing artist. Every time he comes to perform with the orchestra he is always bringing either new repertoire played impeccably, or bringing new insight into established masterworks. His pedal work is surely some of the most miraculous stuff I’ve ever heard, with such a control of line and blending of one note into another with the most amazing legato – it makes one forget that the piano is actually a percussion instrument.
Even more amazing than the powerful and virtuosic performances of the Tchaik 2 were the three encores that he played over the weekend.
Saturday evening it was Debussy’s The Girl with the Flaxen Hair from his Preludes, Book One; played with such delicacy and subtle coloring that it took the gathered assemblage’s collective breath away.
Sunday night brought the Waltz in c-sharp minor, Op. 64 no. 2 of Chopin, one that everyone has heard countless times, but which was played with such freshness and novelty that it was as if we’d never heard the piece before.
Monday’s encore was a lovely work from Frederick Mompou (1893-1987), Jeunes filles et jardin from Scènes d’enfants. [This composer was a revelation to me – I must explore more of his remarkably intimate music!] What was most remarkable was the supreme control that Hough had in these very intimate and often very softly vivid pieces after playing nearly 40 minutes of extremely taxing and loud Tchaikovsky.
I think I can safely speak for th entire orchestra when I say that we can’t wait for Stephen Hough’s next visit!
One reply on “hough blows down the house”
I agree completely. I was there for the Saturday night concert and was blown away by Stephen Hough and the orchestra. The concerto was amazing. I admire how he can be so powerful and yet so delicate often within the same phrase. The Debussy is one of my favorites and he did take my breath away. Thanks!