Stephen Hough Kenneth Leighton Six Studies 'Study Variations' Op.56 2003 live

Stephen Hough (piano)
Washington Irving High School New York City
22 February 2003
Kenneth Leighton (1929-1988)
Six Studies 'Study Variations' Op.56 (1969)
Variation 1: Adagio molto [0:02]
Variation 2: Allegro molto e secco, molto ritmico [2:48]
Variation 3: Adagio molto, mysterioso ma molto espressivo [4:27]
Variation 4: Allegro leggiero e capriccioso [9:02]
Variation 5: Allegro molto, nervoso [10:51]
Variation 6: Presto con bravura - precipitosa, il più presto possible al fine [12:06]

[@stephenarnold6359]

This is Leighton's masterpiece among his piano solo works. When the late John McCabe played it in Germany an eminent musician came up to him and said "Why is this work not played everywhere, why is it not world famous?"

[@stutti42]

'Hough's acting is magical. It's shiny, refined and sensual in the little pieces, and daunting and powerful in Rawsthorne and Leighton. I hope this great pianist will record more recitals of British music' (American Record Guide)
'Hough's pianism is a constant source of wonder - every chord and phrase is perfectly judged' (Classic FM Magazine)
'This performance is undeniably... A CD containing the pianist's personal choices, more valuable British music... HIGHLY RECOMMENDED' (Fanfare, USA)