Stephen Hough, Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra/ Andrew Litton HyperionCDA 67824 ****

Stephen Hough’s latest CD has obviously been issued to tie-in with the Liszt bicentenary celebrations. But it’s actually Hough’s performance of the Grieg concerto (which Liszt famously read at sight from the manuscript, playing both solo and orchestra parts, in the presence of the astonished composer) that impresses most. Hough’s approach is thoughtful, individual, fiery, graceful, anything but clichéd. In the Liszt, by contrast, he seems a little more reined in, at times almost too concerned to keep things on an even keel. It’s as if in wanting to counteract the stereotype of Liszt the fearless virtuoso, he is too much governed by good taste, and allows himself to become a little gentlemanly. Don’t get me wrong: there’s plenty here to dazzle and impress, just not always enough Lisztian flying hair.

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