MICHAEL HOPPE
Requiem
(c) & (p) 2006 Valley Entertainment, Inc./Michael Hoppe
10tks/42mins

Tell me, my friend,
Where to our beloved go away?
In which of worlds we’ll meet again?

What is in this music? The life with its inherent sorrows and pleasures, with encounters and partings in it. While hearing it you would like to recollect the past, the moments that are sweet to you and the people you love. And the pang of losses will squeeze your heart again for a moment. And this music will wash it over and ease your suffering since it includes a sublime beauty and an engrossing conciliation. Michael Hoppe’s compositions are filled with wisdom and an acknowledgement of life as it is. And as always his music is unbelievably beautiful and exquisitely intelligent.

The “Requiem” album is dedicated to Michael Hoppe’s father – Frank Hoppe. While listening to this project we can take delight in Heidi Fielding’s divine soprano and Dwain Briggs’s magically calming tenor. The most moving composition of the album that touches the heart is “Lacrimosa”. On the whole all the compositions of the “Requiem” album can be called the music of the heart so much it is sincere. It heals a soul and refines a heart. Michael Hoppe’s music sounds very refined while it is performed by such remarkable musicians as Chris Bleth – oboe, Martin Tillmann – cello, Bernadette Allbaugh – clarinet, Alyssa Park and Lilly Hayden – violin and certainly Michael Hoppe – keyboards.

Michael Hoppe, the author of a number of outstanding albums reverts to us with a new project “Requiem”. His previous “Solace” CD recorded in common with the Prague Symphony Orchestra by utilizing the Internet was nominated for Grammy. Some prior Michael Hoppe’s albums were honored with prestigious awards. I guess that “Requiem” is destined for a successful life and an international recognition. This album deserves the highest awards and the most complimentary words.

Michael Hoppe’s music is profound as ever and it appears before us in an incredibly beautiful arrangement where cello and violins, electronic keyboards and vocal coalesce into a single whole forming a precious crystal sparkling before us with its magical facets.

You are hearing “Requiem” and for a moment in your memories you find yourself among all those you love…

Serge Kozlovsky
http://sergekozlovsky.com

P.S. Translated by Tatyana L. Permyakova.