Last Leaf cover
Released

Following their scintillating ECM debut, the Danish String Quartet went a bit more experimental when dropping this gorgeous collection of original arrangements. Despite being framed by a Danish Christmas hymn and Lutheran funeral hymn, the overall tone is more secular than spiritual. High points along the way include the in-house pieces “Shore” (by cellist Fredrik Schøyen Sjölin) and “Shine you no more” (by lead violinist Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen), the latter a kaleidoscopic interpretation of John Dowland’s “Flow My Tears.” The remaining material is largely Danish in spirit (if not always in origin) and speaks to the borderless heart of melody.

Tyran Grillo

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