Stephen Hopwood trained at the Royal Northern College of Music and in the mid 1970s began a career as piano soloist, accompanist and teacher. Stephen gives recitals for music clubs and societies all over the country and his repertoire of 18th and 19th century music includes some of the most exciting and beautiful pieces composed for the piano, works such as Beethoven's 'Waldstein' sonata, Chopin ballades, Liszt's B minor sonata and Busoni's transcription of the Chaconne from Bach's unaccompanied partita in D minor. 'Impeccable', 'exhilarating', 'sensitive', and 'refreshing' are some of the words used to describe his playing. His concerto repertoire includes Brahms' 2nd concerto and Rachmaninov's 3rd, works he describes as 'life shortening but fun', as well as other mainstream works by Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann and Grieg. Stephen prefaces recitals with carefully judged introductory talks ranging from historical background for experienced listeners to more light-hearted suggestions as what to listen out for when audiences are less experienced.

Stephen has been an accompanist member of the Federation of Festivals for Music, Drama and Speech, and as such, has worked with many young people accompanying exams, festivals, auditions and concerts. He has introduced young soloists at Boston Stump and The Allegro Appassionato concerts in Louth. He is festival accompanist at the annual West Pennine Music Festival in Oldham, and has also worked at the Lincoln Music Festival. His teaching ranges from adult and child beginners to coaching young professionals. His latest success is a Louth and Boston performer, Emily Garside whom he coached to success in her LLCM Performers' Diploma to gain acceptance at the Royal Northern College of Music. Stephen has another career as a computer programmer, writing bespoke software in Visual Basic for PCs. He has designed his first web-site for the West Pennine Music Festival: [visit the site at http://users.breathemail.net/wpmf] Visit Stephen's own website, www.hopwood3.freeserve.co.uk, to read about him in more detail and hear him play. He has a CD recorded at the Usher Gallery 1999 and will send this free to anyone who contacts him. Concert Organisers' Comments: "Stephen is a treasured artist. A brilliant pianist, hugely popular with our audience, Stephen has stood in for us at short notice countless times; his repertoire is vast. His introductions to programmes make an invaluable contribution to our enjoyment of his performances. We, at Rochdale, cannot praise him too highly." Sean Ford, organiser of Music at Lunchtime, Rochdale Heritage Centre "Stephen's playing is impeccable." David Burgoyne, concert organiser at Boston "Stump" "A fine and exhilarating performance with a new and refreshing approach to the interpretation of classical music on the piano. Mr Hopwood's playing makes enthralling and delightful listening." Mary Roberts, Hon Sec Prestwich Music Club There are many more………