For Daniel Hope, February 2 brings the physical and digital release of DANCE! by Deutsche Grammophon. Tracing the history of Western dance from medieval times to the 20th century, this imaginatively programmed new double album offers almost two hours of music by Purcell, Schubert, Tchaikovsky, Offenbach, Price, Bartók, Piazzolla and others, in styles that range from Baroque opera and Russian ballet to klezmer, tango and swing. As on five of the violinist’s previous titles, he is partnered on the recording by the Zurich Chamber Orchestra (ZCO), of which he is now in his eighth season as Music Director. 

He and the ensemble celebrate the new release with live accounts of the dance-themed program on their upcoming twelve-city German tour (Feb 8–23). Highlights include dates in Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Berlin, Cologne, Munich and Hamburg, where they give two sold-out performances at the city’s already iconic Elbphilharmonie. Meanwhile listeners can sample two advance tracks from DANCE!: the Second Waltz from Shostakovich’s Suite for Variety Orchestra is available here, and Florence Price’s “Ticklin’ Toes” is available here.