Search - Nawang Khechog, Peter Kater :: The Dance of Innocents

Mesmerizing

Lydia | NY | 02/23/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have just returned home from seeing Peter Kater and Nawang Khechog perform at Carnegie Hall on behalf of the Tibet House Benefit Concert in this Year of the Earth Hare. I was mesmerized by the beauty of Kater's New Age-y keyboards combined with the lyrical and moving Tibetan Long Horn of Khechog- a truly unusual and unique pairing!I feel fortunate to have had my eyes opened to this duo and look forward to hearing The Dance of The Innocents for many years to come.I also wish Nawang well as he continues in his pursuit of teaching the world about the plight of his people- how lucky the Tibetans are to have such a talented and deeply spiritual artist pulling for them (and how lucky we are, too)."

From Wind and Wire Magazine

Kathy Parsons | Florence, OR United States | 07/25/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

""The Dance of Innocents" brings to mind a statement I have heard from several composers that music is already here, and that they as composers are merely vehicles channeling what already exists.This collaboration by pianist Peter Kater and Nawang Khechog on Tibetan flute and chanting, was improvised as they were recording, and was actually the first time the two had played together. From the liner notes: "It is a collection of spontaneous musical conversations... a celebration of the first meeting of two souls, offered without forethought or censoring, without composing or editing." This format is not unique, but such a successful blending of cultures as well as musical minds and hearts is amazing to me. Khechog was a Tibetan monk for eleven years, and then spent several years as a hermit in the Himalayan foothills. Kater was born in Germany, and began classical piano training as a young child in the US. With two different approaches to life, both were seeking universal truths. It is so inspiring to find that the common bond and language of music can merge two souls in such a beautiful and creative endeavor as making music that remains representative of both people and their backgrounds and yet blends into something new. A true celebration of life and the human spirit, I have probably listened to this CD a hundred times or more, and it remains fresh and new. All seven tracks are outstanding, but "Call of Compassion" is my favorite. At first, I was a bit put off by the chanting at the beginning and end, but find it fascinating that a person can drop his voice that low and still use it as a musical instrument. The piece is almost thirteen minutes long, giving both artists the freedom to explore the various themes that occur as solos and together - very beautiful, indeed, as is the whole album! I strongly recommend "The Dance of Innocents"!"