St John’s International Piano Series: Sir Stephen Hough
About St John’s International Piano Series: Sir Stephen Hough
Claude Debussy Ballade
Maurice Ravel Valses nobles et sentimentales
Ferenc Liszt Ballade no.2 in B minor, S.171
Ferenc Liszt Mephisto Waltz no.1, S.514
Interval
Fryderyk Chopin 4 Ballades
Stephen Hough’s programme focuses on the waltz and ballade as seen by composers of the late 19th/early 20th century. The 8 pieces of Ravel’s suite are a modernistic reimagined look at the waltz, a kind of fragmented memory of a dance.
By contrast, Liszt’s 4 Mephisto Waltzes are strongly narrative. They are based on the Faust legend and no.1 depicts the wedding at the village inn, a scene of wild exuberance, dancing and sensuality.
In medieval times, French minstrels travelled the land singing their chanson-balladée, tales of knightly heroism, love and betrayal.
The tradition went through transformations – in the Renaissance the ballade became a poetic form – but it was Chopin who took the idea instrumental. His 4 Ballades retain drama and story-telling but wordlessly, and they are among his greatest works.
Stephen Hough has performed them around the world and recorded them to great acclaim. It will be a joy to hear him play them live for us.
Tickets
Please see important booking information below.
Booking information
Ticket prices:
From £27.00 to £44.00
All orders will be subject to a per transaction booking fee of £1.50
Dates & times:
Saturday 29 May 2027 at 7.30pm
Doors open at 7.00pm
Running time:
2 hours including an interval
Good to know:
Buying a season ticket (top three price bands only)Buy a ticket for every concert in the series, within the same transaction, to benefit from a 20% discount. This allows you to choose the seats you prefer for each concert.
