T'ai Chi |
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The CD release in the autumn of 1995, T’ai Chi - In Balance, once again demonstrated the virtuosity with which Chris Hinze bridges East and West. This time China formed the backdrop for a CD inspired by the ancient martial art of T’ai Chi. During his extensive travels in the Far East Chris Hinze spent a lot of time in China. He was fascinated by the way of life there, the differences but also the similarities of expression in the Chinese culture, compared to his own. One astonishing thing was the uninhibited way in which the people practiced their T’ai Chi every day. Everywhere in streets, parks or factory grounds. Of course it is only one aspect of the inspiration for this CD but apparently a strong one. With this CD Hinze not onlyprovided those who practice T’ai Chi with appropriate music, but also inspired lovers of meditative/ambient/ trance and world music. Many internationally renowned instrumentalists can be heard in these unique compositions by Chris Hinze, such as Bansuri flautist Raghunath Seth from India, the first Ti-Tzu flautist from the Traditional Shanghai Orchestra, |
T’ai Chi Master Sifu Fei Yuliang & Chris Hinze |
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Yu Xun Fa and the Shakuhachi player Ichiro Seki from Tokyo. The album contains several beautiful songs performed by well-known Chinese vocalists supported by the voices of the Jing Long choir. The additional programming and rhythm arrangements were done by Tom Holkenborg (Junkie XL). He and Chris mixed the album together. |
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The CD T'ai Chi - In Balance - Volume 2 is the 1999 follow-up of the successful T’ai Chi - CD produced by Chris Hinze in 1995. The first CD provided the impetus for the theater tour, "T’ai Chi - In Balance Live 1998", which played to packed houses. Following excellent reviews and enthusiastic reactions, the decision was made to extend the tour. In November and December 1999 there will be another 25 concerts with a 7 piece band, 3 vocalists, T’ai Chi master Sifu Fei Yuliang and his group, and Tian Wei’s live painting on stage, creating a show that is perhaps better described as a 'total theater production'. |
Sopranos Young Hee Kim from Korea and Linsu from China |
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This 'Volume 2' includes new compositions written especially for the upcoming ’99 tour, along with the hits from the 1998 tour, such as Chris Hinze’s duet with the Korean soprano Young Hee Kim: 'The Queen and I'. This song was seen as the highlight of the evening by the audience. And the exquisite song 'Peace Hotel', in which Chinese soprano Lin Su lends her sublime voice to interpret Chris Hinze’s memories of his visit to Shanghai, received a resounding ovation. The ensemble with the singers and musicians, and the way the T’ai Chi Master Sifu Fei Yuliang and his group demonstrated their perfect mastery of the Chinese movement art together formed a new source of inspiration for these pieces of music. |
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Even the interaction with the Chinese calligrapher Tian Wei, painting live on stage, gave Chris Hinze ideas for a new composition where his interest in Eastern philosophies finds its expression. The basic idea of Eastern influence on Western culture and vice-versa (Taoism and Christianity) is at the heart of the thinking behind this CD. A clear example is the composition entitled 'Dialogue', in which Linsu interprets the Chinese side of the dialogue and Frank Hameleers represents the Western side with his Gregorian chant. This CD embodies a ‘total theater production’ turned into a ‘total music production’. |
T’ai Chi - In Balance |
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T’ai Chi - In Balance II |
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