Search - Jerome Kitzke, Bradley Lubman, Phillip Bush :: Kitzke: The Character Of American Sunlight, etc. / Lubman, Mad Coyote, et al

Jerome Kitzke's works go wildly beyond definition, partaking of rhythmic tumult and pouncing reeds, not to mention the vocalists who shout jubilantly and chant darkly. Part musical theater, Kitzke's oeuvre is full of theatricality, as on Keening Wish, the Allen Ginsberg-scripted text of which is recited, morphed, and ricocheted through percussion and bass clarinet, building toward Lisa Karrer's floating vocalizations and the full ensemble's mirroring of the voice. Then The Animist Child jumps into a virtuosic mix of foot-stomping and toy piano that sound like a rootsy take on John Cage's chance composition. It's on The Big Gesture that Kitzke's full breadth of know-how comes to light. Tumbling drummed percussion gets twill-like weave treatment with Michael Lowenstern's bass clarinet and Jacqueline Leclair's oboe. Kitzke has several political commentaries wrapped in these pieces, but all are served well by spotless execution on works that could easily hide even intentional spots in their ecumenical embrace of so many genres. --Andrew Bartlett