Timo Hoppe came to jazz by playing the electric bass guitar. From there he came to appreciate the greatest of all stringed instruments: the double bass. Especially the possibilities of the bow fascinated him. He eventually studied classical double bass at the Musikhochschule Köln and graduated cum laude.

In his later development, Timo concentrated mainly on the double bass as a solo instrument – to this day his great passion. He also likes to use the double bass as a melody instrument in duos with piano or viola, or his string trio with viola and violin.

Coaching

With Timo you will learn classical double bass from orchestral playing to conservatory level soloing. For example, he will support you in preparing for the conservatory. Also if you wish to develop as an advanced amateur you can contact Timo for inspiration and advice.

Timo Hoppe on his double bass lessons.

Historically informed performance practice

Timo’s specialty is historically informed performance practice where one strives for the sound as it probably was in the composer’s time. He has been working intensively on this subject since 1996, which can also be seen in his long-standing collaboration with the Cologne authentic-sound ensemble ‘Das Neue Orchester’.

Albums

Timo’s discography is extensive. Particularly notable are the live recording of Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy’s ‘Elijah’ from 2011, as well as the recording of all 13 ‘Luther Cantatas’ by J.S.Bach from 2017. Both productions were awarded the prestigious ‘Echo Klassik’.

A selection of Timo’s collaborations

Das Neue Orchester / Concerto con Anima / Capella Augustina / Neue Düsseldorfer Hofmusik / Kölner Akademie / Consortium Musica Sacra Köln / Harmonie Universelle / Sinfonietta Köln / Düsseldorfer Symphoniker / Niederrheinische Sinfoniker / Sinfonieorchester Wuppertal / Bochumer Symphoniker / Neue Philharmonie Westfalen / Bergische Sinfoniker / Bremer Kammerphilharmonie.