Surprisingly, these recordings have been hanging around in the archives a while, the Schumann having been made as long ago as November 2014. But, like all of Stephen’s recordings, they are excellent. The Schumann, predictably so. The Dvořák is a less obvious success, given that it’s a bit sub-Beethoven, and has never had anything like the success of the Cello Concerto, or indeed, for that matter, of the also somewhat overlooked, Violin Concerto. Stephen, and his conductor, Andris Nelsons, will not persuade you it is a great masterpiece, but they will keep you entertained. Not only is this CD a further tribute to Stephen Hough’s skills as one of the world’s finest pianists, but also to the standards achieved by the CBSO under Nelsons, who has now, of course, departed to Boston. Even if you have a recording of the Schumann Concerto, don’t overlook this one. And if you don’t know Dvořák, you have a treat in store.

Classic FM