Review: THE TAI CHI CLASSICS CD
by Ronnie Robinson
THE TAI CHI CLASSICS CD
By Dan Docherty & Luce Condamine
Presented in English, French & Chinese.
60 minutes. Price £17.
Contents: English Introduction. The discourse of Tai Chi Chuan, The canon of Tai Chi Chuan, An interpretation of the practice of the 13 tactics, Song of the thirteen tactics,The fighter's song. The French edition continues the second half of the disc.
The Tai Chi Chuan Classics are essential to the practice of the art, and with this CD they have been given a new lease of life. To my knowledge this is the first time that they have been presented in this way. It is a most welcome addition to the Tai Chi panoply.
Originally, the Classics were meant to be chanted, hence the Fighters Song, Song of The Thirteen Tactics etc. This CD is an excellent method of returning to that oral tradition, making the Classics an integrated and living aspect of practice, not just something to be read occasionally.
The disc starts with an introduction both in English and French. The classics on the first half alternate between Chinese and English. The second half alternates Chinese and French. The Chinese verses are very melodic and beautifully spoken. Even if the language isn't understood, the voice can be listened to as a musical instrument.
Hearing the texts imbues them with new energy. There are many places where a particular emphasis or change of nuance gives new expression to what might be otherwise read in a flat manner. The benefit of the CD is it can be listened to anywhere, and with repeated listening will become an ever more familiar part of practice.
This CD however, is probably not for beginners. Only with some time practicing with a teacher, will these Classics begin to make sense. The more you practice, the more the Classics will reveal themselves.
The whole presentation is of a high quality from the cover to the comprehensive liner notes, which come in the form of a booklet, and are themselves of much interest.
I know that Dan Docherty has spent many years constantly studying the Chinese language and researching the various Tai Chi related texts, and traveling to places with historical links to Tai Chi Chuan to reach this point of understanding. So a great deal of time, energy and care has gone into this project.
Hopefully it will inspire students of Tai Chi Chuan to further study, the oral/ literary tradition of the art.
Both Dan Docherty and Luce Condamine are to be commended for producing this CD.
Order from 0208 368 6815
Ronnie Robinson resides in Glasgow, Scotland and has studied taiji and internal arts since 1981. Aside from his professional teaching status, Ronnie is actively involved in the promotion of taijiquan and qigong throughout Europe, in his various roles. He is Secretary of the Tai Chi Union for Great Britain, Secretary of the Taijiquan & Qigong Federation for Europe, Editor of Tai Chi Chuan & Internal Arts (UK), Editor-in-Chief of the European Internal Arts Journal and organiser of one of Europe's biggest international internal arts gatherings, Tai Chi Caledonia, a week-long camp held in his native Scotland.