What has always characterized Rothenberg’s work for me is its precision, the sheer quality of his sound, a kind of “classical purity” even when employing so-called extended techniques like circular breathing. This is as complex and beautiful a solo clarinet exploration as one might wish to hear.
This is not about virtuosity, in spite of Rothenberg's superb technique.... Other kinds of music might entertain you, cheer you up or pump the blood, but his clarifies the mind and throws your soul wide open.
Rothenberg's (solo) compositions are fortunately a lot more than demonstrations. They are monologues which cast their net improbably wide ethnologically speaking. He is a fluent, comfortable inhabitant of the interesting world he shows us.
Rothenberg reconciles an unapologetically cerebral approach with accessibility and emotional expression. No mean feat, indeed.
