Hough, Stephen - Piano Concerto (the world of yesterday)

With a title borrowed from Stefan Zweig’s memoir, the music celebrates Viennese culture of the world of Zweig before the onset of the First World War. A tour de force for both soloist and orchestra, “the world of yesterday” has been written in the long-held tradition of the pianist/composer; a ‘calling card’ for the pianist on the road.

Based on two motives, which are heard in the first few bars of the work, Hough’s concerto leads us from the simplest melodies (based on the white notes of the piano) to the waltz (with a set of seven variations) and, finally, a dizzying Tarantella, which finishes the work in a blaze of orchestral colour!