CHOPIN: Complete Waltzes – Stephen Hough Hyperion

1
Waltz in E flat major Op 18[5’10]
2
Waltz in A flat major Op 34 No 1[5’14]
3
Waltz in A minor Op 34 No 2[5’19]
4
Waltz in F major Op 34 No 3[2’13]
5
Waltz in A flat major Op 42[3’49]
6
Waltz in D flat major ‘Minute’ Op 64 No 1[1’37]
7
Waltz in C sharp minor Op 64 No 2[3’19]
8
Waltz in A flat major Op 64 No 3[3’07]
UNPUBLISHED WALTZES
9
Waltz in D flat major Op 70 No 3[2’33]
10
Waltz in B minor Op 69 No 2[2’41]
11
Waltz in E major KKIVa/12[2’03]
12
Waltz in A flat major KKIVa/13[1’19]
13
Waltz in E minor KKIVa/15[2’42]
14
Waltz in G flat major Op 70 No 1[2’06]
15
Waltz in A flat major Op 69 No 1[3’00]
16
Waltz in F minor Op 70 No 2[1’45]
17
Waltz in A minor KKIVb/11[1’32]
DOUBTFUL ATTRIBUTIONS
18
Sostenuto in E flat major ‘Waltz’ KKIVb/10[1’22]
19
Waltz in E flat major KKIVa/14[2’18]
20
Waltz in F sharp minor ‘Valse mélancolique’ KKIb/7[2’28]
21
Nocturne in E flat major Op 9 No 2[3’52]

Stephen Hough has a unique affinity for the music of Chopin, whose music has always been a central part of his repertoire. His earlier Chopin recordings for Hyperion garnered huge critical acclaim. Hough’s name has become synonymous with pianistic elegance, flawless technique and immense musicianship and he has become globally renowned for his engaging and refined Chopin interpretations.

In his published Waltzes Chopin brought a new level of sophistication to this popular dance form. His unpublished Waltzes are generally less complex but display considerable wit and charm, qualities ideally suited to Hough’s pianism. The disc is rounded off with the famous E flat major Nocturne, which gives a more lyrical expression to the metre of the waltz.

These illuminating and compelling performances are not to be missed.