Customer Reviews

The Poet: Romances for Cello

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am a cellist who has found this music to be a wonderful listening and playing experience. I often play along and improvise a second cello part to Michael Hoppe's beautiful, melodic lines. He is not one who is afraid to express emotion in his music and Martin Tillmann's playing is more than up to the task with his romantic and lush tone.

While I enjoy playing 'classical' pieces for cello, I have been searching for more modern pieces that really speak to the heart. This disc certainly does that. It has become one of the very favorites in my collection. Each composition has its own characteristic feeling and mood, much as does each of the photographs and poems. The whole concept is quite creative and unique. The photographs of the poets were taken by Michael Hoppe's grandfather, Emil, who was an eminent photographer in the early and middle part of the 20th century in England. Each piece has been composed by Michael Hoppe to reflect the feelings of the poem and each poem is accompanied by one of his grandfather's photographs.

My favorites are 'Renouncement' for the poet Alice Meynell' for its depth of emotional feeling. Another favorite is 'Moon Ghosts' for Aldous Huxley, with its soaring lines and the wonderful way in which the cello and synthesizer are used. The plucked cello string has a unique musical quality that is used far too seldomly. 'Prayer' for Kahlil Gibran is a very deeply touching piece that puts me in mind, more from a feeling point than an musical one, of classical pieces by Bloch and Bruch. The use of arpeggios in this piece is a wonderful touch, as is the use of the lower register of the cello. Michael Hoppe writes so well for the cello and explores the lower, middle and higher sounds of the cello very effectively.

The rest of the pieces on the disc are each unique and express in musical terms the poems that have been chosen for the Emil Hoppe portraits. I love them all. This disc is, as you have probably gathered by now, very highly recommended to those looking for a melodic and deeply moving, musical listening experience.

Much New Age music is pleasant; not much has sufficient musical depth to be memorable. The Poet is gifted with actual melody, a beguiling romanticism, and a performance of such sensitivity and skill (I am married to a cellist and have developed an ear for these things) that one listens to the music again and again in grateful amazement. Even my snotty pure clasical friends love this disc.

I am a classical musician and this has to be one of the lovliest CD's in my collection. I am ordering two more today to give to friends. Words cannot possibly begin to reflect the deeply moving, poetic passion Hoppe & Tillmann have so beautifully captured.

This cd literally put me to sleep each night during a particular sad and traumatic time in my life. Listening to this music was the most healing and therapeutic thing I could have done for myself then; yet I continue to enjoy it today (nearly 5 years later). Michael Hoppe's talent as a writer is incredible, and Martin Tilman can make the cello talk (almost weep) like no other artist I've ever heard. I've searched for months for another cd that can do what this one does for me. The closest thing I've come across is another Hoppe cd called Unforgetting Heart; however, if I could take but one cd with me for a great length of time, it would be the Poet, hands down.

Before listening to this CD, I was more into heavy metal and alternative music. Imagine my surprise when I first heard this CD at a friend's house a few years ago, and found myself mesmerized by the absolute beauty of it. I had to have a copy for myself. I quickly learned that this music was the perfect companion to a warm bath and a glass of good wine; you know those evenings when you just want to relax and maybe do a little soul searching. I love this CD so much that I am buying another copy because I lost my first one when I recently moved. I can't live without it!

I have two of Michael Hoppe's albums: The Dreamer and The Yearning. I absolutely love both of these albums, and I was sure they could not be topped until I heard The Poet at a friend's home one afternoon. I was so blown away by the feelings that his music created, I had to ask my friend to turn it off until I could compose myself. It reaches the depths of your emotions and brings them immediately to the surface. There is no escape!

Bravo! Fabulous music. Soothing to your soul and soul mate perhaps. Got to get this one for your collection of quiet music!

Stirring compositions, beautifully rendered; accompanied by gorgeous photographs of the poets and their poetry. I'm so happy I chanced upon this fabulous package and am going to purchase more as gifts for friends.

I received my copy from Amazon.com yesterday and listened immediately. I was not disappointed! This is a wonderfully relaxing, sometimes melancholy... the packaging was even wonderful, with photos of prominent poets, taken by one of Hoppe's ancestors, accompanied with poems. I love it & so does my husband. Plan a romantic weekend escape and take this one with you!

Lovingly performed. Soulful, wondrously rich music. So beautiful, it borders on sorrow. It is the most beloved CD I have in my collection.