After studies at the Royal Academy and the Royal Northern College of Music, British pianist Stephen Beville won a scholarship to study at the Staadt Hochschule in Karlsruhe, Germany. During his time there he gave several acclaimed concerts and made studio recordings, a selection of which make up this, his commercial recording debut. Described as ’one of the most talented young musicians to emerge from the UK’ by Frankfurter Neue Press, his musicianship and deep consideration of his music are well demonstrated. In this 2 album set the performances of the Beethoven Op. 111 and Schumann’s C major Fantasie are taken from live concerts.
"... well worth hearing." *****
Robert Matthew-Walker - Musical Opinion
“This ambitious recital by a young British virtuoso, captures him in both studio and concert performances. From the outset we feel the presence of an intelligent, controlled and searching pair of hands quite capable of imparting power as well as finesse. When Beville builds up his momentum [in Beethoven’s Op. 111], the surge becomes persuasively emphatic, the intimate moments eerily serene. The last movement [of the Schumann Fantasie] plays directly into Beville’s ardent hands, an apt gesture from one young poet to another.”
Gary Lemco - AudiophileAudition.com
