This weekend, the Houston Symphony welcomes British pianist, composer, and author Stephen Hough to Jones Hall for performances of French composer Camille Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 5, Egyptian. Recently, I had the chance to ask Mr. Hough a few questions about this concerto.
Calvin Dotsey: How would you describe Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 5 to someone who has never heard it before?
Stephen Hough: I think this piece is all about the ‘exotic,’ especially in the 2nd movement with its Eastern sounds—both Middle and Far East. It was written at the beginning of the 20th century when many new ideas and tastes were being imported into Europe, and it also reflects Saint-Saëns’s adventurous travel tastes.
CD: What makes this piece “Egyptian”?
SH: Mainly the principal themes of the 2nd movement; he also wrote some of it when he was visiting Egypt.
CD: What do you love about this piece?
SH: Its elegance, pianistic sheen, its lovely melodies, its fizz and fun.
CD: Do you have any favorite passages you would like to highlight for the audience?
SH: Well, no one will ever forget the moment in the 2nd movement when the composer introduces an ear-tickling effect. It sounds like I’ve inserted something in between the strings, or even that I’m no longer playing the piano. You’ll not miss it!
CD: What makes Saint-Saëns’ way of writing for the piano unique? How does it feel in your hands compared to the piano music of other composers?
SH: He was a great pianist—you can hear this on the few early 78 recordings which survive. Very fast fingers, light, graceful, always elegant. Although it is highly virtuosic, everything lies under the hand—everything works on the instrument.
CD: What do you like to do when you aren’t practicing, performing, or traveling to your next concert?
SH: I read, I write, I think, I eat…and I sleep as much as I can around all of that!
Don’t miss Stephen Hough in Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 5, Egyptian, this weekend! Click here for tickets and more information.
