‘Stephen Hough is a player of formidable talent, capturing the essence and spirit of Mendelssohn’s driving enthusiasm and creative wonder’ (Yorkshire Post)

‘Stephen Hough searches out the lyrical essence of the music rather than going for glitz’ (Stereo Review)

‘Stephen Hough is, undoubtedly, one of the most elegant pianists before the public today … Hough does not fail to underscore this in the brilliant pyrotechnics’ (Soundscapes, Australia)

‘Expressive playing from this fine soloist – one has to marvel at anyone who can take on those devilish tempos’ (The Scotsman)

‘Stephen Hough has the ideal qualities of sharp attention to rhythmic detail and an impeccable fluidity of line and phrase’ (The Observer)

‘He is all fleet-fingered exhilaration in the outer movements and relaxes appealingly when the music turns inwards’ (International Piano)

‘It should perhaps come as no surprise that Stephen Hough should prove so perfectly attuned to these works … if you opt for just a single recording, this would make an excellent first choice … the soft, stylish arpeggios that open the first work on the disc announce immediately that something special is on the way. Hough is now clearly first recommendation in the concertos’ (Gramophone)

‘Hough offers far greater elegance and plusher tone … Hough is, as always, a delight to listen to, such as in his quicksilver scattering of thirds in the last movement of the Second Concerto’ (Fanfare, USA)

‘Hough’s pianism … is elegant, spirited and poetic, and well-attuned, too, to the swirling skittishness of the concertos' finales … Hough’s reading, as throughout this disc, is a joy’ (Birmingham Post)

‘[Hough] can scamper with the best and is able to incorporate delightful capriciousness without derailing the flow of thought … These performances…boast of nearly ideal lightness, vivacity and impetus’ (BBC Music Magazine)

„An impressive achievement all round“ (Piano, Germany)

‘Biting intensity, yet with freer expressiveness and bigger contrasts he also brings out extra poetry and … a sparkling wit … a constant delight’ (The Guardian)