Rachmaninov The Piano Concertos Paganini Rhapsody

This two‑disc Hyperion release (CDA67501/2) features Sir Stephen Hough as soloist with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra conducted by Andrew Litton. The set, issued in 2004, collects Rachmaninov's Piano Concertos Nos. 1–4 together with the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini; the performances were recorded live in Dallas in 2003–2004.

Contemporary reviews single out Hough's combination of technical command and melodic subtlety and note the live recordings' immediacy and strong musical partnership between soloist and conductor. Some listeners and audiophile commentators, however, have expressed mixed views about aspects of piano tone and balance on the live documents.

Pros:

• Complete cycle of all four piano concertos plus the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini on two CDs.
• Stephen Hough's performances are widely praised for technical assurance, clarity and melodic sensitivity.
• Live Dallas recordings convey energetic immediacy and concert atmosphere.
• Issued by Hyperion with catalogue CDA67501/2 and widely documented in contemporary reviews.

Cons:

• As a live set, it lacks some of the studio polish listeners may expect; occasional applause and performance variability are present.
• Some listeners and audiophile commentators report mixed reactions to piano tone and orchestral balance on parts of the recording.