Zsolt Bognár is a magnificent interviewer: he is always wonderfully prepared, and he asks intelligent and perceptive questions that set the subject at ease and evoke fascinating responses.

Zsolt Bognar, the best interviewer!!, excellent listener, caring, brilliant!!…Thank you!

What a fantastic, fascinating man & artist!

I only started listening to Classical music 5 years ago and Stephen is one of the Pianists I always enjoy listening to. He plays with elegance, touch,technique without showboating.

the interviewer does an excellent job.

We need more people like this in the world.

One thing I have noticed from watching this series is that musicians and composers are intelligent, articulate people. (And the probing questions really brings that out.) Thank you!

Stephen Hough is a delight to listen to - erudite, intelligent, well-rounded, likeable. This is such a fantastic series of interviews, and fascinating for musicians of all abilities to learn from the greats, so thank you Zsolt for making this possible.

Wow. Stephen Hough is the epitome of thoughtfulness, good sense and tolerance, as well as being a deeply fine musician. Thank you for this upload, and thank you to Zsolt Bognár for his sensitive interviewing skills. Am immensely glad I came across this episode in your series.

“when you relax you start to discover your own personality. i don’t think being an individual, being original is about looking for originality-it’s about allowing yourself to blossom.”

The interviewer is brilliant, builds an excellent rapport and only asks insightful questions.

That was a totally riveting interview. I love the gentle (but very insightful) questioning of the interviewer, and the way he allows the interviewee to speak at length without interrupting. Stephen Hough comes across as a truly wonderful and deep person, with a great sense of humour. I love these interviews and I'm so grateful they have been put together.

So true! Perspective increases with age and experience. A very wise man blessed with tremendous talent, while remaining humble. So rare.

What a joy - what a privilege to share in that conversation. Thank you both so very much!

Both Mr. Hough and the interviewer are most excellent!

I love the humility and his immaculate technique

I love Hough's presence on screen and on the stage! Very relaxing to listen to!

A man of considerable charm, and with a very pleasant voice. Apart from the other little things, of course.

Hough knows Fr. Rutler? How amazing. I never would have known that two brilliant minds like theirs would know each other that well. I've always loved his pianistic technique, but now as a fellow religious Catholic pianist, I am becoming more and more admiring of Stephen Hough the man.

Incredibly intelligent, very wise, highly articulate, analytical and brilliant mind, and an amazing g pianist.

Rachmaninoff concertos recording is breathtaking

I'm really enjoying all the interviews (I watch one interview a day) from Living the Classical Life. The interviewer always asks very perceptive and intelligent (without trying to upstage) questions. The questions remind me of The Proust Questionnaire that investigates the persona of the individual. Stephen Hough is incredibly modest. As for me, a moment of bliss is when he plays Roger Quilter's "Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal" on Japanese television and Mompou's "Jeunes filles au jardin" (both available on youtube).

Just read Stephen Hough"s new book Rough Ideas, and is a fascinating read and full of interesting insights. This interview reminds me of the sort of conversations on televisions years ago in that we are listening in on a conversation between two people with the love of a common subject, and all credit to the interviewer who asks intelligent questions and actually lets Stephen answer the questions.

Captivating interview with the fascinating Mr. Hough. One gets the feeling of elevation and time well spent in Mr. Hough's presence. Thank you.

What excellent and perceptive questions, delivered with unselfconscious integrity , and such honest answers, so comforting somehow- bravo!

Thanks for the interview! For me one of the best living pianists, he plays all the works excellently, I especially love his rachmaninov interpretations 🍀

I have a friend, now a concert organist in Basel, whose school report read [Sport] "Swims well at own level".

I had the great pleasure of meeting Stephen Hough a few months ago in Boston. one of the warm human beings I've ever met!

What a wonderful conversation!!

So grateful for this wonderful interview…Grateful for Your Artistry and Humbleness..

This is a phenomenal interview, it's like he's in my lounge talking to me! The interviewer is absolutely spot on with this one, not sure who he is but he did a brilliant job

Wonderful interview.

I was privileged to hear him play Beethoven's Piano Concerto No 3 in C minor, last evening with the San Diego Symphony....he will repeat that performance tonight (May 23 and Sunday afternoon, May 24). I went backstage after the evening's concert, and observed his interactions up close with fans and admirers....and was struck by his warmth and friendliness and humility. He is treasure :-)

What a highly inspiring interview! Thank you!

Lovely thoughtful man.

The best interviewer!!!

Such a delightful and insightful conversation.

I tried to find Steve's poetry on my computer! Stephen Hough ( b.1961 ) British Pianist ( one of the finest in the world ), Composer, Award Winning Poet, Writer on Religion, and Artist. I think if I was in his shoes and I had to isolate one field of these endeavours, I would choose 'Pianist'! As that is in my view the greatest and finest expression of his genius! A very creative mind! Very modest! If you read this, Steve, don't worry about trying to isolate one area of your ability! Just remember that you have cracked it!

Fantastic interview of one of my favorites.

Just beautiful...

Great interview and interviewer !! Thank you !

What an authentic, real and honest person.l

Two impressive people.

22:35 - I believe the pianist Stephen Hough is talking about is Raymond Lewenthal, who often would wear a cape and a top hat on stage.

Wonderful person and great interview. Thank you!

Fascinating. Thanks

great human

Today years old when I learned it was pronounced 'Huff'

echoing the kind thoughts of others - this was a wonderful experience to have listened in. Wonderfully insightful - the insight on the Beethoven op111, Schubert B flat and Brahms second invited us to return to them immediately...And what a wonderful human being ..I have many of his recordings and I thank those involved in bringing this to a wider audience, though 12K seem a very exclusive number- we must promote, Promote, Promote...

Besides being a singular artist, Hough has some remarkable insights on why gays and Jews have often expressed themselves artistically.

people who are able bringing classical music to an organic level ? ... this would be very necessary. An organic European culture, which is not creating overnight stars....

What piece is played in the intro?

Title should be "Stephen Hough the Polymath".

Great interview. By the way (as a non actual english native speaker), I couldn't understand what was name of his first mentioned favorite musical piece, the one by Beethoven. Would you mind telling it to me?

Can someone tell me what piece is played in the beginning?

this guy is so funny!!!!

his eyes

TIL his last name is pronounced "Huff" not "Hoog"

I can't take a pianist seriously that denies Bach