Daniel Hope - Air: A baroque journey (2009)

Daniel Hope’s declared aim is to trace the development of the Baroque violin, mainly through four composers – three Italian, one German. This throws up some fascinating, sometimes extraordinary, pieces.
Among the few surviving works of the Dresden composer Westhoff are a set of amazingly coloured sonatas with movements imitating bells, a lute, and a battle. Among a kaleidoscope of brief pieces are two complete concertos, one by Telemann, the other Geminiani’s arrangement of a Corelli sonata, stylishly accompanied by Hope’s five string colleagues and continuo.
A percussionist adds great rhythmic vitality in several dance movements; the opening Falconieri Ciaccona and a Tambourin by Leclair are irresistible. In all, here’s a striking demonstration of the sheer variety and invention of Baroque violin composers, though yet another Pachelbel Canon and a ‘Greensleeves’ arrangement seem to be concessions to the disc’s commercial potential.
Although by no means ‘period’ performances – they’re at present-day pitch and, if the photos are accurate, employ modern strings and bows – they are admirably stylish. Hope uses vibrato as a colour and there are some delightful hues in the five continuo options, plucked and keyed.
Bar an occasional steely edge from relatively close-miked solo violin, recorded sound is excellent. -- George Pratt