Daniel Hope rounds up an extraordinary 2010 with four spectacular New York concerts

In a year that began with Daniel Hope performing to and addressing the German parliament in January 2010, December saw his return to New York for performances at Lincoln Center, the People's Symphony and Carnegie Hall. He was joined by celebrated lute-player Paul O'Dette and a group of superb young musicians from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center for his "AIR" programme of baroque music, a recital with young Israeli pianist Roman Rabinovich, and a performance of the Brahms Double Concerto at Carnegie Hall with cellist Paul Watkins, conducted by Jaime Laredo.

Vivien Schweitzer of the New York Times wrote: ".....Mr. Hope’s bow blurred over his instrument in a feat of impressive virtuosity...... a rendition notable for its rhythmic buoyancy, depth and improvisatory flair. ....... playing with lithe, soulful élan and a cleanly articulated sound. Mr. Hope and his colleagues also brought imaginative panache to their rocking rendition of Vivaldi’s Sonata for Two Violins.....Telemann’s Violin Concerto in A minor (was) given a brooding and fiery performance........The encore was a lovely performance of Bach’s familiar “Air on the G String.”   

Allan Kozinn of the New York Times said of the Carnegie Hall performance: "The violinist Daniel Hope and the cellist Paul Watkins each produced a rich, seductive tone and found a nuanced balance between the virtuosity and warmth that the Brahms Double Concerto demands. The orchestra’s contribution — solid, powerful and sharply articulated — kept the work’s inherent drama fully in focus."

Daniel returns to the United States in March 2011 for performances at the Savannah Music Festival where he is Associate Artistic Director,  including the Bruch Violin Concerto with the Atlanta Symphony and Roberto Abbado.