Last Leaf

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.