Irish Roots

Daniel Hope’s great-grandfather was from Waterford in Ireland. Here, the South African-born violinist takes a deep dive into his Irish heritage in this evocative album of traditional and classical pieces. Trad comes first in “Morning Nightcap”, where Hope trades sprightly licks with the whistles and uilleann pipes of the group Lúnasa, who also collaborate on the zesty dance-set “The Minor Bee”. Musicians of AIR Ensemble are Hope’s other main partners, contributing the crackling reel “The Red-Haired Boy” and a heart-piercing take on “O’Carolan’s Farewell to Music”. On the classical front, Hope posts a sparkling account of a violin concerto by Vivaldi, a favourite composer in 18th-century Dublin, and a rhapsodic “Phantasy” written in 1926 by Irish composer Ina Boyle. Sir James and Lady Jeanne Galway add flutes to the ever-poignant “Danny Boy”, curated by Hope with the same affection and empathy which suffuses the entire album.