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Reviews |
| "Christoph Haas doesn't
seize upon the superficial, fashionable appeal of the exoticness of
archaic instruments, rather he listens to the sound of their souls. It is
remarkable with what sensitivity and dexterity Haas is able to seamlessly
shift between the different shades of sound. The true attraction of this
multicultural journey comes from the rapturous overtones of this music.
The room is filled with a humming and singing of the finest vibrations.
Overtones are always there, whether Haas nimbly plays the gong or drum or
whether he draws buzzing sounds from the berimbao. The dialogue between
the mysterious sounds of the singing bowls and the adequate overtone
singing is also impressive." (Badische Zeitung) "One of the most outstanding percussionists, a first class musician." (Bernd Krause, Stuttgarter Zeitung) |
| "Rhythm is a kind of
world formula. A language common to all people. Christoph Haas proves
that. His inspiration comes from the Arabic world, Africa, India and South
America. Using these sources, he improvises, he dances, he sings. He makes
it seem as if the drum were breathing, as if the drum were singing on its
own. He plays clearly and with great feeling. One feels a ritual power,
rich in simplicity, with an original, vital brilliance. In his
performances, there is a gradual increase in intensity which leads to
something like a poetic trance. It bewitches us and wakens our senses. It
breathes nature and has stimulating side effects: the erotic elements of
the drum are not left out. He is the smiling and knowing shaman, who
sometimes holds the drum in front of his face like a mask through whom the
ancestors of the world speak to us. The frame drum has great richness in
Christoph Haas' hands. He achieves this both through his rhythmical
virtuosity and intensity, and also through the amazing fullness of sound
that reaches from fine "points" to overtone chords. When a snare is added,
it achieves the archaism of a gong."
(Hansdieter Werner, Reutlinger Generalanzeiger)
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| "Christoph Haas, the
personified union of radically different sounds and musical cultures,
transforms space and time with drum, musical bow, gong and voice. He
creates spherical sounds of great depth and bewitches his audience with
musical transformations that imperceptibly slide into each other."
(Leonberger Kreiszeitung)
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| "Sounds of timeless
force. Christoph Haas, or, how a percussionist listens to infinity. Not
least, a master of silence. At the same time, Haas' appearance is modest:
he appears natural, unassuming, without any affectation. The effects are
contagious: he offers transcendence, letting go and concentration as
alternatives to the overwhelming influence of modern hectic activity."
(Schorndorfer Zeitung)
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| "A superior performance
that the audience listened to breathlessly, only to honor Christoph Haas
with jubilant applause." (Marbacher Zeitung)
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| "Sensitivity and
competence characterize these poetic musical worlds, that lead to
meditation and encourage the listeners to open themselves to
transcendence. The singing, monk-like musician could be preparing us for
the celebration of an early Christian service, especially in the context
of the gothic arches of the Lienzinger Frauenkirche." (Pforzheimer
Zeitung)
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| "Gentle, spherical
sounds fascinated the listeners and instilled them with inner
peacefulness: composure and devotion to a faraway world of sound."
(Murrhardter Zeitung)
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| "An intense and
fascinating listening experience as well as an encounter with an
exceptional musician. Christoph Haas is a master of improvisation as well
as a virtuoso interpreter of these ancient cult instruments. The spell
conveyed by these simple yet incredibly nuanced percussion instruments
enchants the many spellbound listeners." (Marbacher Zeitung)
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| "One of the most
creative percussionists in the country." (Lift)
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| "Percussionist
Christoph Haas takes his audience on an enchanting journey into faraway
worlds of sound. He not only plays his instruments, he plays with them.
The performance was amazingly coherent in spite of the continuous change
of instruments." (Schwarzwaelder Bote)
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| "Christoph Haas plays virtuoso sequences with matchless dexterity. His hands appear to barely touch the drumhead. In his percussive melodic playing of the musical bow, gentle overtones unfold in the concentrated silence of the room. It is always his entire body, the round movements, that meet and unite in his rhythms." (Ludwigsburger Kreiszeitung) |
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