Catalogue # CKD382

‘A Leibeslieder sandwich, with Stephen Hough’s witty songs the delicious filling.’ Gramophone Magazine October 2011

The Prince Consort: Other Love Songs Songs by Brahms and Stephen Hough

Brahms: Liebeslieder-Walzer, Op. 52, Neue Liebeslieder-Walzer, Op. 65
Hough: Other Love Songs

The Prince Consort: Alisdair Hogarth (piano), Anna Leese (soprano), Jennifer Johnston (mezzo-soprano), Andrew Staples (tenor), Tim Mead (countertenor), Jacques Imbrailo (baritone) & Guest artists: Stephen Hough (piano), Philip Fowke (piano)

The Prince Consort’s exciting and innovative new recording embraces two contrasting composers: Johannes Brahms and Stephen Hough including the premiere recording of the British pianist and composer Stephen Hough’s collection: ‘Other Love Songs’.

Commissioned by the Consort in 2009 to complement Brahms’ works, Hough’s songs are designed to explore other kinds of love. This is symbolised in the rather unique accompaniment of three hands, with Hough providing the third hand.

Brahms’ collection of love songs, ‘Liebeslieder Waltzen’, written for vocal quartet and piano duet (Alisdair Hogarth with Philip Fowke), depicts the love between a man and a woman – at first cheerful and lustful, then as the mood darkens, heartbreaking and obsessive. The Prince Consort’s debut recording received great critical acclaim; named ‘Editor’s Choice’ in Gramophone, ‘IRR Outstanding’ in International Record Review and BBC Music Magazine called it “an outstanding recording”.

‘The Prince Consort is rapidly establishing itself as one of the UK’s leading chamber ensembles renowned for its inspired and vibrant approach to repertoire and performance.

Stephen Hough, in addition to being a multi-award winning recording artist and concert pianist, is an avid composer and regularly contributes articles to the Guardian and Telegraph.