CHAPTER ELL—THEMES 8, 9, 10

DADA, DADA, URSONATA!

Ecstatic nonsense is every child’s birthright! All ages will gurgle and coo over Kurt Schwitters’ 1920’s Dada masterwork, Ursonata (Primeval Sonata), performed for children by Lynn Book and Andy Laties. Two Saturdays: Sept. 12th & 19th, 10:30 AM. Please reserve ahead. Free. —Press release, The Children’s Bookstore, 1992

“Lanke trr gll, pe pe pe pe pe, Ooka ooka ooka ooka,” sings Lynn Book. We’re costumed in our industrial hoses. I respond, “Lanke trr gll, Pii pii pii pii pii, Züüka züüka züüka züüka.”

She’s wiggling fingers at the dozen babies in the front row, proposing, “Lanke trr gll, Rrmmp, Rrnnf.”

I query, “Lanke trr gll, Ziiuu lenn trll? Lümpff tumpff trll.”

She assures me, “Lanke trr gll, Rrumpff tilff too.”

Not satisfied, I check, “Lanke trr gll, Ziiuu lenn trll? Lümpff tumpff trll.”

She reminds me that, “Lanke trr gll, pe pe pe pe pe, Ooka ooka ooka ooka.”

I recall also that, “Lanke trr gll, Pii pii pii pii pii, Züüka züüka züüka züüka.”

She’s wiggling fingers at the babies, “Lanke trr gll, Rrmmp, Rrnnf.”

I agree, “Lanke trr gll.”

Why did I wait all these years to perform Ur Sonata for kids? Over a hundred people attend these performances, among them my own children, Sam and Sarah, aged five and three. Everyone—baby, grade-schooler, parent—ooo-ooo-ing, grimm-glimm-ing, tilla-lalla-ing along.

It makes sense. Ernst Schwitters wrote:

  I shall never forget those many “MERZ-evenings,” where, as a four-, five-, and six-year-old, I used to have my regular place in the centre of the front row of seats, directly opposite my father, marveling open-mouthed at him.

It was during those evenings that the Sonata grew. It never was read off a manuscript, although in its various stages of development it had been published in art-magazines everywhere. But my father knew it by heart, and preferred to improvise the recital, as this gave him the chance to develop it continuously. Thus a great many people became witnesses of the slow development of this unique piece of—shall we say—“music” and/or abstract poetry.

Of course, Ernst’s presence informed Kurt’s experience and shaped his performance. Ur Sonata had to be perfect for children.