MICHAEL HOPPE
Solace
(p) 2003 Michael Hoppe
(c) 2003 Spring Hill Music
12tks/51mins

Oh, this bewitching sorrow
of the violin that's singing in the night!
What are you yearning for
At the time of approaching dawn?

What is charming in Michael Hoppe's music that wins you over from the very first chords, what is special in his compositions that makes you listen to them over and over again? Most probably that it is an incredible intelligence and finesse of his tunes. And, in addition, an aching tenderness, light sadness that plunges you into memoirs, that arouses sweet moments of your life. And all this is so divinely beautiful!

Michael Hoppe comes back to us with his thirteenth album " Solace" . In recording of this album the Prague Symphony Orchestra took part, the orchestra parts being recorded through Internet, as well as legendary Vangelis who had performed " The Parting" composition. Moreover, a great many famous musicians participated in recording of " Solace" : Martin Tillmann - cello, Heidi Fielding - soprano, Kenton Youngstrom - guitar, Eugene Fodor -violin, as well as à number of other really outstanding performers. And, no doubt, key parts were performed by Michael Hoppe himself.

A new album " Solace" recalls previous Michael Hoppe's compositions, such as " Afterglow" , " The Yearning" or " The Unforgetting Heart" ,and at the same time there is a charm of novelty and freshness in it. The tunes of " Solace" are all-embracing and more optimistic, they are more " rich" and voluminous. They set the heart at rest and fill it with hope. This music is exquisite and perfect. These healing harmonies of Michael Hoppe! All his heart is in this music!

" Solace" is a very integral album, it is impossible to single out one or another composition. They all join together as a one song full of tenderness and assumption.

Beyond doubt Vangelis contributed his share in the album by his vigorous and an incredibly careful performance of " The Parting" composition. In sounding of his tune one can feel a shoreless sea which closes up at the sea-line with blue midday sky.

" Solace" is the music of timeless love, it is the song of immortal heart…

On shoreless oceans of memories,
Losses and partings of years past
Your bark will lightly glide to dawn
Where a coming day is born,
A divinely beautiful day…

Serge Kozlovsky
email: serge_kozlovsky@tut.by
web site: http://sergekozlovsky.com

P.S. Translated by Tatyana L. Permyakova.