“One of the things that touches me most when I play for an audience is that although we may be unable to communicate in words or have diametrically opposed views on hot-button issues, while the music sounds we can be at peace, we can be friends. The vibrations that fill an auditorium have no passports, and they unite ears when hearts may be divided.”

British and Australian classical pianist, composer and writer

Sir Stephen Andrew Gill Hough is a British and Australian classical pianist, composer, and writer. He is known for a career that spans performance, composition, and writing, with work rooted in the classical music tradition. Hough’s public reputation comes from his activity across several musical roles rather than from a single field. He performs as a pianist, composes music, and writes, making him a distinctive figure in contemporary classical culture.