The Yearning: Romances For Alto Flute

Michael Hoppe (Artist), Tim Wheater (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 22, 1996)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Teldec
• ASIN: B000000S9K
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #82,578 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Lilies on the Lake

2. Glass Idol

3. The Waltz of Whispers

4. Indigo Sunset

5. Memories in Dark

6. Wing'd Slippers

7. Nocturnes and the Quarter Moon

8. Rendevous

9. Black Roses, White Jade

10. Of Mask and Shadow

11. Distant Moment

12. ...Never Forgotten

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars from Solo Piano Publications, February 19, 2001

By 

Kathy Parsons (Florence, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Yearning: Romances For Alto Flute (Audio CD)

I first encountered the music of Michael Hoppe' and Tim Wheater on Seventh Wave's "A Very Green Christmas", and loved their arrangement of "Silent Night". When I saw "The Yearning", I bought it with great anticipation. Despite my excitement, I was not expecting anything of the shimmering beauty of this album. It is unquestionably one of the most beautful recordings I have ever heard.

Each "Romance" is individually dedicated to the celebrated women featured in a series of photographs by photographer, E.O. Hoppe' (1878-1972), Michael's grandfather. The photographs and a short biography of each of these women are included in a booklet, so this makes an exceptional package. But the music - the music....

A sense of yearning and passion runs through each piece, giving the album a consistent mood all the way through. All of the pieces are slow and low-keyed. The alto flute sounds like it has about the same range as a cello, and, that same lovely, melancholy feel that can come from a cello is here as well. Hoppe' keeps his synthsizer washes in the background, and they serve to enhance the sounds of the flute and provide some subtle harmonies and gentle rhythms. Haunting, ethereal, elegant, and emotional are words that come to mind as I listen to this aural work of art.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't Stop Listening, March 3, 2000

By 

katherine kegan (Mpls, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Yearning: Romances For Alto Flute (Audio CD)

I found this cd, quite by accident; and I must say it literally has changed my life. At the time I was in the middle of an unrequited love bind and also (unknowingly) soon to be diagnosed with breast cancer.... I found the pieces spellbinding; and for several days I listened to them over and over, at home and in the car and at work. The incredible vintage photos as well as all the themes on the cd absolutely captivated me, especially the audible passion of "Glass Idol" and "Of Mask And Shadow". Eventually, I was fortunate enough to reach Michael Hoppe himself, which urged me on to buy an alto flute (after not playing c flute for many years); and now I quite enjoy playing all the themes myself with Michael and Tim as my original mentors! Plus the entire experience was very much a part of my healing from a broken heart, cancer, and cancer treatment. Certainly, Michael Hoppe deserves a Grammy. His other cd's are equally as gorgeous....

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Haunting Bliss, March 21, 2001

By 

Janice A. Connett (Albuquerque, NM United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Yearning: Romances For Alto Flute (Audio CD)

I was gifted this particular CD with the message: "I have this CD and I cannot stop playing it, so I hope you like it, as well." Every once in a while God smiles and we open ourselves to receive the perfect gift: The piece that makes the whole puzzle fall into place. And that is what I received. Even at first glance, the cover of "The Yearning" is captivating. A photograph of a young woman's sensual face graces the cover, and you can look deep into her eyes and become mesmerized by their luminescence.

"The Yearning" is not only a hauntingly beautiful album of gentle melodic tunes played by flautist, Tim Wheater, but it is also a visual collection of exquisite photographs by the composer's grandfather, E. O. Hoppe. The elder Hoppe was a well known photographer of the famous, and Michael took some of his grandfather's most outstanding photographs of famous women spanning from 1916-1931 and wrote music that brings to life the sensual, graceful beauty and mystery of each subject. Each photograph is accompanied by a short biography about the woman and her accomplishments. Incorporating this visual treat of photographs with the flowing melodies of the CD opens the door to a grand reverie of the golden past in which these women lived their lives.

Tim Wheater gives an entrancing performance on the alto flute, an instrument that issues forth low, rolling notes that seem to come from the very depths of its Soul. The whole album is unhurried and gentle, and there is light keyboard music in the background to give body and compliment to the flute's low, almost moaning quality. For those particularly attuned to deep tones, this is an excellent album have in your collection. You may find that you, too, are mesmerized by the haunting music, and yearning for more, will play it again, and again, and again.