Michael Hoppe is a Grammy award nominated composer of exceptional melodic talents. His music has been heard internationally and on numerous programs ranging from HBO?s The Sopranos to The Oprah Winfrey Show. Hoppe has also... more » scored feature films including Misunderstood and the multi-award winning and Oscar nominated short, Eyes of the Wind. His 2003 release, Solace, was a Grammy nominee in the Best New Age category and has sold more than 100,000 records worldwide. His new release Requiem features soprano Heidi Fielding and tenor Dwain Briggs« less
Michael Hoppe is a Grammy award nominated composer of exceptional melodic talents. His music has been heard internationally and on numerous programs ranging from HBO?s The Sopranos to The Oprah Winfrey Show. Hoppe has also scored feature films including Misunderstood and the multi-award winning and Oscar nominated short, Eyes of the Wind. His 2003 release, Solace, was a Grammy nominee in the Best New Age category and has sold more than 100,000 records worldwide. His new release Requiem features soprano Heidi Fielding and tenor Dwain Briggs
CD Reviews
Writings by Serge Kozlovsky
Serge Kozlovsky | Minsk, Belarus | 06/02/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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
[...]
P.S. Translated by Tatyana L. Permyakova."
Solemnly Soothing Spirited Music
Jeanette Alexander | Seattle, WA | 11/07/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Requiem. Michael Hoppe
This is music from the heavens. Michael Hoppe has done it again! In this CD, Requiem, he captures your heart with the opening notes and doesn't let go. This music compels you to sit down and listen to some of the most beautiful musical compositions and vocals you will ever hear on earth.
From the opening notes of the oboe in the first song, Introit, it calls out and beckons for you to slow down, to listen. You get a sense of being comforted and soothed in sounds that surround you. This music takes you under it's wing and comforts you. You are compelled to stop whatever you are doing and really let the music sink in. To feel, and to really listen.
This is soothing music, yes, but it is much more than that. This is solemn music, yes, but of the most beautiful kind. This is spiritual music, yes, for the soul. Perhaps it can be compared to that of a warm blanket on a cold winter's night, a soothing cup of hot tea, a fireplace. Whatever it might be for you, this music is soothing beyond measure. This is music that is comforting to the depths of the soul.
As a deep listener, I can hear every note, every nuance of the oboe, and as keyboards change chords , my whole being goes along to the pulse. Santus is a joy to listen to. As for the vocals, they are the angels from heaven! The vocal harmonizations are heavenly.
The Prayer is my favorite. With lyrics by Heidi Fielding, she sings it to us,
"You answered my prayer" and you are left with a sense of hope and renewal. You wonder could it be the same question you ask yourself. You want to believe that your prayers are answered. I can listen to this song over and over again and I have. Let me rephrase that, I can listen to this CD over and over again. And I have.
I know if you listen to this CD, you will get to listen to your own soul in the process.
Jeanette Alexander
"
Sensual Peace
L. Longfellow | 06/07/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Requiem" is music to accompany lovemaking. Not sex - lovemaking.
"Requiem" is music to fall asleep by. Not doze off - slip into peaceful rest.
It is intelligent and beautiful, a manifestation of heart and mind, from a true "heartist.""
Requiem is Sublime
Therese A. Tappouni | Indian Shores, FLorida | 11/09/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"MIchael Hoppe is a gift to our time. His soulful and heartfelt music reaches directly into the spaces where we live our deepest lives. This Requiem includes one of the most beautifully composed and sung pieces I have heard--Pie Jesu. The voices soar and blend, directing the music into the hurt places of us, healing them into light."
Music For Our Times
Charlotte Del Rose | Los Angeles, CA | 11/09/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Michael Hoppe has created more beautiful, haunting, evocative music. It is of a piece with all of his work, but is more reflective and serious in its aims. It speaks of loveliness, loss, and hope. His music is always part of the zeitgeist, and especially now. I particulary love "Lux Aeterna" with its swirling gypsy violin, truly like a human voice in its communication of emotion. And the vioing again in "Agnus Dei" is restful and emotive. Michael always creates oases of beauty in our trouble times."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1