Cage: Sonata XIII, Music for Marcel Duchamp, etc

A confusing John Cage record? That might not sound like a very specific criticism. In reality, classical music buyers are used to information being laid out as if on a platter, so this Wergo release is noticeably weird. The graphic design of the cover has more the look of an ECM jazz production, but the confusion is really in the title, or lack of one. Actually, a lack is not the problem. There are apparently three titles. The front cover and spine make it seem as if the title is "John Cage." A look at the label, however, and the conclusion seems to be that this is "John Cage Live." Another alternative, always acceptable in classical circles, is that the title can be the names of the pieces presented. In this case it is a kind of a retrospective grab bag, including some of the late-'40s prepared piano sonatas as well as choral music that can inspire shivers, shudders, and winces, sometimes all at once. The live program utilizes piano solos by Peter Roggenkamp in much the same way an orchestra might present a concerto soloist. He shows up at the beginning and takes some pressure off the oncoming choral presentation. The latter takes up the balance of the recording, featuring the Schola Cantorum under the direction of Clytus Gottwald in selections from Cage's "Song Books I-II" and "Empty Words III." Some of this material comes off as a bit half-baked, although it is well intentioned and comes with the respectable cultural influences of Henry David Thoreau and Erik Satie. An extensive booklet is enclosed with text in both English and German and some reproductions from Cage scores. ~ Eugene Chadbourne