Customer Reviews

Michael Hoppé: Solace

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Michael Hoppe's "Solace" is a marvel of artistry and technology. His thirteenth album, Hoppe says that this recording came to life through a series of miracles that allowed him to create a much more complex rendition of his work. Last year, a fan that he had never met contacted Hoppe, offering to help him further his vision in some way out of gratitude for the "solace" Hoppe's music had brought to his own life. Hoppe told him that he'd love to work with a full symphony but that the cost was prohibitive. The benefactor said he would take care of it. Shortly after that, Hoppe received a card in the mail announcing the possibility of recording with the Prague Symphony without having to travel to Czechoslovakia - the recording sessions would take place over the Internet from his hometown of Los Angeles. The orchestral parts were sent to Prague via the Internet and copied there. For the actual recording, engineers created at live Internet link from a large studio in Prague to another studio in Los Angeles, enabling the people in both studios to see and interact with each other. From LA, Hoppe was able to conduct the orchestra, and it was even possible to remotely activate a small video camera for close-ups of the soloists! Four of the album's twelve tracks were recorded with the symphony: "This Majestic Land," "Romance for Violin and Orchestra," "Renouncement," and "Nimbus." All four are gorgeous, and revel in Hoppe's classical roots. The piece that has been creating a lot of "buzz" in relation to this album is Vangelis' appearance playing Hoppe's own "The Parting." This is not a new recording, but a tweaked version of a cassette recording Hoppe made in 1986 while visiting his hero at his home (then in New York). The two composers were talking about their recent work, and Hoppe played a 3-minute version of "The Parting." Vangelis then did an 8-minute take while Hoppe recorded the impromptu performance. Many years later, Hoppe had a friend who owns a mastering facility transfer the recording, removing unwanted background noise and expanding the dynamic range. Hoppe then sent the new recording to Vangelis who gave him permission to use it on "Solace." Michael Hoppe hopes that this music will give "a sense of much needed peace in an increasingly troubled world... and a continued belief in small miracles." As on previous albums, Hoppe's music tends to be melancholy, but is so shimmeringly beautiful and elegant that it soothes and lifts the spirit. Hoppe has been one of my favorite artists for many years, and this is definitely one of his very best albums to date. Miracles set to music!

I own 100s of CDs of many different types. I especially love
New Age and Classical music. I bought Solace not knowing anything about Michael Hoppe. I put Solace on my CD player and sat back to listen. I was overwhelmed by the beauty of this CD!
Usually, when I purchase a music CD, I will find that I only like a few songs or tracks and the rest will be ho-hum. But this
CD is wonderful from beginning to end! The music is very soothing and I like hearing different musical instruments and
voices for each song. I don't believe that I will ever grow tired of listening to this album. I highly recommend it!

I think this is one of the most exquisite recordings I have ever heard and like another reviewer here I can leave this on my CD player and having it playing continually.
It is just superb!

This is a beautiful collection of New Age music that should please fans of the genre. Perfect for listening alone or with others. The music is soothing at times, but at others, is fervent and burning.

The first piece of this recording ("The Majestic Land") is like a throwback to "The Big Country." This being my first impression, I thought every other piece was going to sound like movie soundtracks. But no, the second piece proved me wrong. "So You" was like an unworded song of love, eternity, and promise. By the time of the third piece, you'll be burning with the passion and desire of the strings in "Romance for Violin and Orchestra." The pieces afterwards more or less delve into that rich and sometimes otherworldly territory that is New Age, reaching again into a certain height with "Jude's Theme" and "Nimbus," then coming into a prayerful respite in "Pie Jesu." These pieces are what really make up the theme of "Solace."

The last piece called "The Parting," is a very good piece for dispersing all that left-over burden we accumulated in a day's time. The first time I heard it, and afterwards, I felt like I was in the calm, sunny waters of the Greek sea, and swimming among majestic whales!

There is something for everyone in this recording. Solace does not necessarily mean to be alone, and the music here proves that it can be listened to in the solace of lovers, or a dear friend.

I have been a Michael Hoppe fan since I Heard his "Simple Pleasures" CD about eight years ago. I have all of his CD's. However, in this CD, he has surpassed them all. Solace has everything. No other Instrumental CD has the variety of this one.

From The Prague Symphony, to Martin Tilman's Cello, to Heidi Fielding's Soprano, and then to top it off "The Parting performed by Vangelis.

And, through out it all, Michael Hoppe at the Keyboards.
When I listen to Hoppe's music, I can feel as well a hear his music. This is his best. A Six Star, if there was such a rating.

I am seldom so overwhelmed with the beauty of a piece of music that I'm moved to tears. This does just that to me. Each track is as meaningful and beautiful wrought. Powerful stuff.

I finally received my copy and all I can express at this time is I have been touched by heaven. It is the only way I can describe my experience. Michael's CD "The Yearning" had a great impact on me. Hearing "Solace" is an equal, if not more emotional, experience. It is as if I had been transported out of this space to a higher level, a level of encompassing warmth and enveloping love. As I began this message, it is as if I had been touched by heaven.
Michael once said in an interview, his music came from his heart. This then is a pure revelation of his inner self and it is beautiful. As I write this from my study I am playing the CD, hearing again not just the music but the meaning behind it, all combined in a physical, spiritual and emotional journey. I am so very thankful to be able to add this experience to my journey on this earth, and I thank Michael Hoppe for sharing his gift with the world.

Needless to say, Michael Hoppe's music is beautiful, lyrical, expressive, and passionate. However, after purchasing several of his CDs, I keep hearing the same old tunes played with different orchestrations. Don't get me wrong...I love the melodies...but once you have heard a tune it gets trite after multiple playings, no matter how beautiful.
Michael needs to let go of his old themes and ask for fresh melodies to come forward.
Of course, if you haven't heard his earlier works, you will enjoy this one.

This is an excellent CD. It features twelve compostions by Michael Hoppé, with the last track being an improvised version by Vangelis of one of Hoppé's most popular tracks, "The Parting", recorded in the 1980s.

The first track gets the CD off to a perfect start. "This Majestic Land" is a very optimistic piece, almost patriotic. What makes this track special, along with three others, is that Hoppe's music is played by the Prague Symphony. You can't beat a real orchestra, and their mere presence gives his music that extra quality and purity of sound.

Other highlights include track 5, "Beloved" and the hauntingly beautiful soporific piece "Pie Jesu". Vangelis's generous permission for Hoppé to use his version of Hoppé's original track rounds the CD off perfectly. I must say, however, I actually prefer Hoppé's original version, but it should be remembered that Vangelis played this piece (which Hoppé recorded) after listening to the piece just once. Knowing Vangelis, the final version would have been just wonderful.

A beautiful and relaxing CD, and one that I can take great pleasure in thoroughly recommending.

Solace is the 4th CD I've bought of Michael Hoppe, nobody does it like he does. The emotion and deep musical colors of his melodies sometime almost bring one to tears. It's wonderful to have another genius like Vangelis playing on a Hoppe record because you can really tell just how good the Hoppe songs are when someone else perfoms them - they still remind you of the composer. Vangelis is wonderful here, also. I listen to a lot of music but Solace, with it's sweet sadness and emotion, has been in my CD player for all month, it's really that good.