Described by the Sunday Times in 2008 as "Britain's finest pianist," Stephen Hough is also a very talented composer and writer. Appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire, he was also the first classical music performer to be awarded a MacArthur Fellowship in 2001, rewarding American citizens who have made significant and creative contributions in their fields. He has recorded more than fifty records, won more than eight Gramophone Awards, and was nominated three times at the Grammy Awards: Stephen Hough is without any doubt one of the most sough-after musicians in the world.

As a teacher at the Royal Academy of Music (London) and at the Royal Northern College of Music (Manchester), Stephen Hough is very comfortable with the masterclass exercise. In this masterclass, he works with students on two of Liszt's virtuoso pieces for solo piano, the Spanish Rhapsody and the Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12.

The Masterclass Media Foundation Archives offer to students and music lovers around the world filmed masterclasses, given by the best talents, on the greatest works of the classical repertoire. Their primary purpose is to provide a valuable educational resource in order to perpetuate passion and knowledge from one generation to another.