Cliburn Sessions: Sir Stephen Hough

“It’s hard not to be a little awestruck by the breadth of Stephen Hough’s passions, to say nothing of his talents. [He] is simply one of the most interesting musicians around.”

— The Boston Globe

One of the more distinctive artists of his generation, Sir Stephen Hough combines a distinguished career as a pianist with those of a composer and writer. Named by The Economist as one of 20 Living Polymaths, he was the first classical performer to be awarded a MacArthur Fellowship, was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2014, and was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2022.

He has performed with the world’s major orchestras and given recitals at the most prestigious concert halls—including 25 concerto appearances at the BBC Proms; his 50 albums hold four Grammy® nominations and eight Gramophone magazine awards; and he holds positions at Cambridge University, the Royal Northern College in Manchester, and The Juilliard School. Sir Stephen is a prolific composer who has written works for orchestra, choir, chamber ensemble, organ, harpsichord, and solo piano, and has been commissioned by the likes of Wigmore Hall, the Louvre, the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quartet, and the Cliburn—for the 2022 Competition, where he also served on the jury. A noted writer, he’s published four books and contributed articles for The New York Times, The Guardian, The Times, Gramophone, and BBC Music Magazine.

This beloved member of the Cliburn Family returns this January for two performances, including his concert debut with Cliburn Sessions.