What do you think of Daniel Hope?
I was just looking through the discussion archives here, and I could not find any mention of this excellent young English violinist.
I went to his website a few days ago and listened to some excerpts from his CDs. I have to say I was quite impressed, and thus surprised he doesn't seem to have rated much of a mention here, if any.
I intend to add his Elgar / Walton / Finzi CD and Berg / Britten CD to my collection. His latest Berg disk contains something like 50 very recent revisions to that concerto, but I am not aware precisely what they are.
He appears to be a specialist in modern works as well as late romantic / early 20th century English repertoire. Which is great because hopefully he might one day get around to putting the much neglected Delius and Stanford concertos onto disk.
As I say, from what I have heard, I am very impressed. What do others think?
Replies (6)
The Elgar/Walton CD is very very good - although the Finzi is a bit lightweight - aided by an excellent pianist, Simon Mulligan. I haven't yet heard him live but intend to soon.
Hi Sue and Brian,
Thanks for your opinions. Yes, as I say, I'm really impressed with his playing. I'm really looking forward to getting my CDs of his. And he is yet another player who is mindfully plugging the repertoire gaps. As I say, I would love for him to take up the Delius concerto. I have to think all the way back to Albert Sammons for another great Delius recording by an English player!
Hi Jonathan - I'm ashamed to say I have never heard the Delius concerto - is it good? What is the best recording?
Hi Brian,
There really aren't terribly many commercial recordings around. At least where I have looked. Menuhin has it on EMI coupled with the Elgar. This is his 1976 performance of both works, although personally I really only like to listen to Menuhin up to 1947 only.
Another, much earlier recording is with Albert Sammons, again coupled with the Elgar. Delius actually wrote the concerto for Sammons in 1916. The performance on this recording dates from 1944, and it's been re-issued on Naxos Historical. Sammons was in his late 50s when the Delius was recorded and his left hand technique is a little wobbly, but his musicianship reigns supreme. In any case the earlier Elgar (1929), with which it is coupled, truly is an exceptional and legendary performance.
I personally think the Delius concerto is wonderful. Anyone who hears it for the first time should be amazed that it is not regulary performed. It is an equal to Korngold in it's lyricism and Delius's trademark harmonic progressions are stamped all over it. Although it's not generally a technical fireball, in my opinion it ranks in the top echelon of 20th century works.
The first time you hear Sammons play the second movement, if you don't get a giant lump in your throat, you are not human.
Hi Jonathan - you've made a sale! Just ordered it - the Sammons recording I mean - from Crotchet! Thanks, Brian
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April 3, 2004 at 03:57 PM · I saw him perform when he was in his teens, and he was very good. And he has the most fantastic red hair, yum!