Daniel Hope - Spheres

18 February 2013, 12:46 | Updated: 6 January 2017, 14:45

Enjoy a cosmic journey through music from some of the world's most exciting living composers. Album of the Week, 18 February 2013.

Featuring music by Nyman, Pärt, Glass, Richter, and Einaudi, the album serves as a kind of modern minimalist taster menu, showcasing a variety of different pieces by contemporary composers, sandwiched between a few choice favourites from the classical canon.

A particular highlight is a new arrangement of Einaudi's I Giorni for solo violin, piano and strings. Played by the composer himself, the delicate piano melody is brought to life by a chorus of shimmering strings and the sweet sound of Hope's solo playing.

But it's not all soaring violins and heart-breaking tunes. The title track, Spheres, composed by Gabriel Prokofiev with its angular melodies and clashing harmonies is something altogether different - but Hope's trademark violin sound is still distinct within the cosmic textures, inspired by the sounds planets make when they move.