Hummel & Hough

A Gramophone Award winner!

Not that I live my life by such things, as trophies have little meaning for me, but this Hummel recording hit the classical music world by storm, and rightfully so.

It also represents a single collaboration between Stephen Hough and Chandos, as well as a rare recorded appearance from Bryden Thomson with the English Chamber Orchestra.

If the liner notes are to be believed, Hummel had never been played this way before. Hough treats the works as a towering virtuosic feat. Apparently, previous recordings required cuts due to its difficulty.

Hummel has many piano concertos to his name, but these stand out from the others for their minor keys. The works themselves are plenty tuneful, and the minor mode really gives these works character, standing out from the Classical Era propriety of the others.

It also set Chandos on a Hummel streak, offering what I assume is a nearly complete cycle of the composer's piano concertos, among many other works offered by Howard Shelley and the London Mozart Players. Why Hough never came back to Chandos for Hyperion, who knows? 

If there could be a drawback, which it isn't for me, this is not a period recording. That can be found on Brilliant Classics, but I personally have no interest in such things.

A review from 2024

This recording of Hummel’s second and third piano concertos has long been revered. I am not used to seeing Stephen Hough’s name on the Chandos label; this appears to be his only appearance there, but what a fabulous collaboration.

As he straddles the Classical and Romantic Eras, Hummel’s two concertos both have a sense of Classical sensibility and Romantic yearnings to break free. His melodies are terrific, the minor-keyed harmonies elevate the interplay, and the orchestrations are a lot of fun. The horns in the middle movement of the B Minor Concerto are a standout creation, reminding me of von Weber, another Era straddler.

This also seems a rare collaboration between Bryden Thomson and the English Chamber Orchestra on record too. Their playing is weighty from the Chandos sonics, but generally stay out of the pianist's way.

Stephen Hough’s piano is far forward in the sound, making the music a touch more exciting, but occasionally at the expense of wind or string interplay in the louder portions. The pianist is at his virtuosic best here however, and this is a fabulous recording all around.

Of course Chandos went on to record many more of Hummel’s Piano Concerto without Hough or Thomson, but we still have this progenitor to marvel at.

Listen on YouTube

Works
Piano Concerto 2 in A minor (30.19)
Piano Concerto 3 in B minor (35.59)

Performers
Stephen Hough, piano
English Chamber Orchestra
Bryden Thomson, conductor

Label: Chandos
Year: 1987
Total Timing: 66.08

 

A must-have recording!

The virtuosity of Hough and the sproutings of Romanticism from Hummel are tops here.

Find more Hummel recordings HERE!