Limited CDs, edition of 88, released on Roedelius' 88th birthday, includes a numbered and Roedelius-signed printed inlay with the lyrics of his poems.
“Hoffnung“ is the German term for hope, and its connotation is an entirely positive one. In times where our present conception of the world is shaken by the transforming process of climate change and an abyss of permanent conflicts staged by ill-advised leaders, it seems as if the album has arrived at just the right moment to spread some well-needed confidence and optimism.
“Zeit, was ist das? / Time, what is it?“, these are the first words Michou Friesz, a well-known Austrian actress with a decades spanning career in movies, TV and theatre, addresses to the audience on “Hoffnung“. Obviously, each and everyone of us has a different answer to that, regardless of the term’s unambiguous definition. Time is a paradox, it can be many different things all at once since its irrevocability is equally feared and comforting. Depending on your relation to chronometers and calendars it could be a beast or your best friend, it could’ve almost consumed you before you’ve decided to use it up. But maybe, just maybe, time is generally overrated as it all comes down to playing an elaborate yet childish game of “what if“ with it.
Clearly, an ultimate answer can’t be given at present on “Hoffnung“ as well - but the album challenges our perception of time in the same ways Hans-Joachim Roedelius challenged our perception of music throughout his mind-bending career. As a founding member of projects such as Cluster or Harmonia he basically laid a quintessential foundation for our understanding of modern (electronic) music. In the late 70s though Roedelius significantly changed his musical orientation as he started to focus on piano combined with poetry supported by a limited range of acoustic and electronic instruments - in substance the groundwork of where he is with “Hoffnung“ today. The album, consisting of the eponymous single track, pays testament to his ever-changing, imperious quest to find his very own musical vocabulary. The result is an intimate 42 minute long journey performed with piano, Michou Friesz’s extremely nuanced voice reciting Roedelius’ poetry, and lots of subtly build up distortion and reverb.
In the end one could state that time, hope and music are spiritual brothers: all of them are masters of remoulding reality to the heart’s desire. Or at least, that’s what “Hoffnung“ does.
credits
released October 26, 2022
Poems written by Joachim Roedelius
performed by Michou Friesz (vocals) & Joachim Roedelius (piano)
Recorded in Roedelius home studio by Bernhard Schabmayr
Mixed by Tim Story
Audios overwork by Frank Wiedemann
Mastered by Bo Kondren/ Calyx
Cover Photo "Untitled seascape 2011" by Gioia de Bruijn
Cover by Frank Wiedemann/ Bigamo Musik
Gorgeous work of two great masters of music and mystics of sound! Very deep, multi-layered and lacy music, absolutely modern and at the same time not tied to time. A masterpiece! suh70
The experimental rock band's new record is as melodic and inventive as ever, but now with an even more honed sense of play. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 27, 2024
Ross J. Farrar of Ceremony creates dubby outside punk evoking the minimalism of Young Marble Giants on his second solo record. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 27, 2024
This is such a great album, as it mutates with every time listening to it. Like a reflection of thoughts in a quiet deep mental lake.
Danke martin soundnomad
