#5196, Music About Hope, Part 1

It was almost twenty years ago when Icelandic recording artist Björk sang the words, “Nature has fixed no limits on our hopes,” for the first time while working on her sixth album, Volta. The song, co-produced by hitmaker Timbaland, featured some uplifting kora melodies and textures from the late Malian musician Toumani Diabaté, in juxtaposition to the heavy and gruesome subject matter of a pregnant suicide bomber in the lyrics. The world has witnessed many tragedies in the past two decades, but the core message of Björk’s song still rings true, as humanity continues to hold on to hope through thick and thin. And on this edition of New Sounds, we bring some music about hope from all over the world to you.

First, Polish duo of pianist Hania Rani and cellist Dobrawa Czocher give us “There Will Be Hope”, with piano and cello arpeggios playing in unison with a clear sense of urgency and determination. Then, Japanese violinist Megumi brings her friends together for a live performance of her piece titled “Field of Hope”, featuring Tom Chess on oud, Zach Lapidus on piano, Moto Fukushima on bass, and Keita Ogawa on percussion.

Swedish-born bassist Björn Meyer presents a musical monologue with “On Hope”, playing sophisticated chord progressions that lead to unexpected destinations, hinting at the complexity of the emotion behind his composition. But kora player Ballaké Sissoko, cellist Vincent Segal, accordionist Vincent Peirani, and saxophonist Émile Parisien’s take on “hope”, or “Esperanza” in Spanish, is much more playful and uplifting in comparison. They’re in the minority, however, as Finnish duo of saxophonist Tapani Rinne and keyboardist Juha Mäki-Patola explore the concept of hope in a contemplative setting of ambient drones and moody melodies right after.

Bristol-based electronic jazz rock collective Get The Blessing also presents some hopeful themes with saxophone melodies, alongside other instruments like trumpet, drums, electric bass, and many wild effects that take their “Hope (For The Moment)” from an energetic place to a chaotic one near the end. Afro Cuban pianist Omar Sosa’s gentle solo piano piece “Esperanza” offers a moment to breathe, urging the listener to turn their attention inward. In closing, an excerpt from the experimental folk guitarist William Tyler’s ambient tune “Star of Hope” ends our set on a euphoric yet peaceful note. - Sırma Munyar

(Photo of Björn Meyer by Fredrik Gille)

Program #5196, Hope, Part 1 (First aired 10/19/26)

ARTIST: Björk
WORK: Hope [1:32]
RECORDING: Volta
SOURCE: Atlantic Records
INFO: https://bjork.bandcamp.com/album/volta

ARTIST: Hania Rani & Dobrawa Czocher 
WORK: There Will Be Hope [4:37]
RECORDING: Inner Symphonies
SOURCE: Deutsche Grammophon
INFO: https://www.deutschegrammophon.com/en/catalogue/products/inner-symphonies-hania-dobrawa-12404

ARTIST: MEGUMI & Friends
WORK: Field of Hope [9:23]
RECORDING: Field of Hope, Live in Brooklyn
SOURCE: Independent
INFO: https://megumiviolin.bandcamp.com/album/field-of-hope-megumi-friends-live-in-brooklyn

ARTIST: Björn Meyer
WORK: On Hope [3:20]
RECORDING: Convergence
SOURCE: ECM Records
INFO: https://ecmrecords.com/product/convergence-bjorn-meyer/

ARTIST: Björk
WORK: Hope [3:36]
RECORDING: Volta
SOURCE: Atlantic Records
INFO: https://bjork.bandcamp.com/album/volta 

ARTIST: Ballaké Sissoko, Vincent Peirani, Émile Parisien
WORK: Esperanza [3:46]
RECORDING: Les Égarés
SOURCE: ACT Music+Vision GmbH+Co.KG
INFO: https://vincentpeirani.bandcamp.com/album/les-gar-s

ARTIST: Tapani Rinne & Juha Mäki-Patola
WORK: Hope [3:42]
RECORDING: Open
SOURCE: Hush Hush Records
INFO: https://hushhushrecords.bandcamp.com/album/open

ARTIST: Get the Blessing
WORK: Hope (For the Moment) [4:35]
RECORDING: Lope and Antilope
SOURCE: Naim Audio Ltd.
INFO: https://gettheblessing.bandcamp.com/album/lope-and-antilope

ARTIST: Omar Sosa
WORK: Esperanza [5:24]
RECORDING: Calma
SOURCE: OTA Records
INFO: https://omarsosa.bandcamp.com/album/calma

ARTIST: William Tyler
WORK: Star of Hope [3:04]
RECORDING: Time Indefinite
SOURCE: Psychic Hotline
INFO: https://williamtyler.bandcamp.com/album/time-indefinite