Daniel Hope falls for the viola

Names like Brahms, Liszt and Schumann trip off the tongue, but how about Joachim? The 19th-century violinist, born in what is now Austria, was friends with all of them, and is credited with bringing together Clara Schumann and Brahms, so changing the course of musical history.

The multi-talented musician Daniel Hope has made a study of Joachim for a new recording due out in March, and will be performing some of his works at LSO St Luke’s in London on 3rd March.

Apart from exploring the various facets of a great violinist, and how he influenced those around him, the new recording also features Hope's debut as a viola player, which he learned from scratch!

Daniel Hope told Classic FM about The Romantic Violinist.