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The Practice of Practising

Celebrated pianist Stephen Hough reflects on a life spent practising and examines what it takes to turn hours of relentless work into spontaneous and awe-inspiring performances.

Celebrated pianist Stephen Hough reflects on a life spent practising. Told through a series of intensive rehearsal sessions as he prepares for the first night of the Proms in 2013, Stephen gives an in-depth and frank account of the hard work, self-examination, isolation and forensic scrutiny required to turn a seemingly impossible collection of notes into an effortless and awe inspiring performance.

With contributions from fellow musicians including violinist Nicola Benedetti, mezzo soprano Joyce Di Donato and guitarist Julian Bream, The Practice of Practising also examines the firm but distant approach needed by parents of musical children, how singers push themselves past the emotional brink in rehearsal rather than on stage and what happens to the superstar instrumentalist in retirement, when the need to practice is no longer there.

Producer: Freya Hellier.

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Sat 26 Jul 2014 12:15

Broadcasts

  • Sat 28 Dec 2013 12:15
  • Sat 26 Jul 2014 12:15