Search - Michael Lautenschlaeger :: Ex Cathedra

The Allure Still Lingers

Paddy Gillard-Bentley | Ontario | 11/28/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It has been over twelve years since its release, and the allure still lingers. So, apparently, does the obscurity. Who is Michael Lautenschlaeger? Why is he so elusive? What has he done since ex cathedra? What is ex cathedra beyond the usual pronouncement of the pope considered absolute and infallible?



Recorded between 1987 and 1994 at Cedartree Recording Studio in Ontario, Canada, Michael Lautenschlaeger's first album consists of seven tracks of orchestral music, augmented with synthesized keyboards. The predominantly Canadian musicians involved in the project were professionals in classical, chamber music and a profusion of musical genres. The musicians include - Sheila C. Scott, Michael Lenz, Katalin Kiss, Rebecca Hass, Patricia J. Reimer, Lucie Roy, Devin Dalton, Andrew Lenz, John Rooke & Karl Stevenson / vocals, Steve Adams / dobro, Alec Catherwood / violin-viola, Colleen Bush / violin, Dan Bush / viola, Chris Sharpe & Richard Armin / cello, John Johnson / flute, soprano & tenor saxophones, James Mason / oboe, Dave Lewis / cymbals, Raymond Poirier / percussion & Michael Lautenschlaeger / synthesizer.



It has been said that ex cathedra was "Beautiful Music Languishing in Undeserved Obscurity" The music is predominantly Baroque in style and passion, but the provocative inclusion of saxophone enhances certain songs with a smoky, sultry sound. Is it Jazz? Is it Classical? Is it electronic? To define the music of ex cathedra is as complex a task as the arrangements on the album that embrace various styles and afford the listener a myriad of layers and texture into the soul of this album.



There is little of ex cathedra available anywhere for download or listening, which is unfortunate. Desert hymn, incidentally my favorite on the CD, was used as the soundtrack for Thursday Evening, a very short film by David I. Finley. By using the contrast of black and white film to allow the audience to view the terrains and outlines of the human body, this film is augmented and enhanced by the original score by Michael Lautenschlaeger. Thursday Evening can be found here.



[...]



Michael Lautenschlaeger's presence on the internet is almost naught. We are all hoping things will change when he releases his second cd. His collective will from here on be called tonbau and his second cd, due to be released in a few weeks is called g minus 2.



There is a facebook fan page for tonbau here.

[...]



Perhaps we can move tonbau from obscurity to the light."