It's all in the Mind of... Stephen Hough

Have you ever wanted to know what goes on inside the mind of your favourite artist? Well, here's your chance to find out. Each day throughout the BBC Proms, Dilettante will bring you a Q & A from an artist who's performing that evening. First up it's Stephen Hough, who will perform all of Tchaikovsky's piano concertos over the course of the Proms, starting with No.3 at tonight's 'First Night of the Proms'.

Check back daily to see who's in the spotlight.

Stephen Hough: Prom 1 'First Night of the Proms', 7:30pm

The Guardian newspaper calls Stephen Hough's piano playing 'the most perfect...conceivable.' He appears regularly with leading American and European orchestras, and gives piano recitals at major venues and festivals around the world. His artistic vision transcends musical fashion and trends, which is why he won a prestigious MacArthur Fellowship in 2001, a prize that recognises the unique contributions to everyday life of the world's outstanding scientists, writers and musicians. Read on for an insight into the mind of Stephen Hough.

Q. What are you currently reading?
A. Marilynne Robinson: Gilead

Q. Who inspires you musically?
A. Most composers I play.

Q. What's your favourite city, and why?
A. Probably London, but Sydney is a close second. The former because it's home - the latter ... because of the water.

Q. What young artist are you keeping an eye on?
A. The painter, Anthony Mastromatteo.

Q. Who would you like to get stuck in an elevator with?
A. A brilliant engineer who had been a trapeze artist in a previous career.

Q. Where is the strangest place you've ever performed?
A. The courtyard of a monastery in Sorrento in the pouring rain.

Q. What piece of music can you not live without?
A. Silence.

Q. What food can you not live without?
A. Chocolate - and cheese.

Q. Where is your favourite spot in London?
A. Any ascending escalator in any tube station.

Q. If you were invisible for a day, what would be the first thing you'd do?
A. Steal every hat from Locks on St. James's Street

Buy your tickets to the BBC Proms, otherwise catch Stephen Hough's performance live on BBC Radio 3 and at 8pm on BBC Two and BBC HD.

Check out Hough's recording of Rachmaninov and Frank with cellist (and fellow Promer) Steven Isserlis, or his Spanish Album featuring works by Granados and Albeniz.

Read more of Stephen's thoughts on his Daily Telegraph blog.

Heads up: tomorrow's Q & A will be with Paul McCreesh of the Gabrieli Consort