Andrew Stiller wrote (in part) on Dec. 28:
After a 1975 "performance" of his _Song Books_ in that manner, Cage had a lot to say, among which:As a performer with Petr Kotik's S.E.M. Ensemble for a period of more than 10 years, and as Director of the Ensemble's educational program, I have witnessed the closest collaboration between Petr Kotik and John Cage. A wonderful highlight of that collaboration was the "Tribute to John Cage" held at Carnegie Hall for an international audience, in which an Mr. Kotik conducted the full version of ATLAS ECLIPTICALIS with an orchestra of 86 players. As part of the educational program created by S.E.M., Petr Kotik invited Cage to attend a student performance of his music at John Dewey High school in Brooklyn, NY. After the performance, Cage totally fascinated a large audience of teachers and students with his poetry readings, humor and musical ideas. Not a word about being "misunderstood."
"Last night when I heard the S.E.M. Ensemble play Song Books, I regretted that I composed it. I regret that my work now exists as something so widely mnisunderstood."
I have never witnessed anything but total respect for and intense dedication to the music of John Cage by the members of the S.E.M. Ensemble and the S.E.M. Orchestra. Until his death, Cage frequently attended S. E. M. rehearsals and performances of his music. If anyone is misunderstanding Cage's music, it cannot be S. E. M.'s music director, Petr Kotik, whose performances and recordings of Cage and other avant-garde composers have received the highest praise around the world.
Herman
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