The Crux

Ned Rothenberg

1 Intimidations 11:41
2 The Crux 8:54
3 Epistrophical Notions 5:05
4 Do Omoi 7:42
5 In The Thick 7:20
6 Maceo 3:28
7 Sokako Reibo 11:01

Rothenberg’s solo work on alto saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet and shakuhachi has been internationally acclaimed with over a thousand performances on 4 continents since 1980. His musical voice is built on a timbral palette which integrates ‘extended’ and standard instrumental technique into a seamless whole. The Crux, in Rothenberg's own words, is "a re-assertion of solo work as a primary expression of [his] creative voice." 

"I've found myself gradually less concerned with 'stylistic purity' as I've gained confidence that I can play in any kind of idiom where I have enough fluency to assert my musical identity. So I indulge these omniverous interests. They, together with the input of my various co-conspiritous over the the years, are my primary source of musical energy." - Ned Rothenberg.

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Ned Rothenberg - alto saxophone, bass clarinet

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Recorded December 19, 1991, June 18 & August 9, 1992 at Acoustic Recording and Park Place Studios, Brooklyn. Edited and sequenced at Studio PASS. Mastered at NY Digital Recording. All pieces recorded direct to 2-track digital, no overdubbing is involved.

Available as 320k MP3 or 16bit FLAC

Tracklisting:

1. Intimations - 11:38
2. The Crux - 8:49
3. Epistrophical Notions (To Thelonious Monk) - 5:00
4. Do Omoi (To Katsuya Yokoyama) - 7:40
5. In The Thick - 7:16
6. Maceo (To Maceo Parker) -3:21
7. Sokaku Reibo (The Cranes In Their Nests) (To Goro Yamaguchi) Composed By Kinko Kurosawa, Transcribed By – Rothenberg - 11:01

 

Ned Rothenberg

Composer/Performer Ned Rothenberg has been internationally acclaimed for both his solo and ensemble music, presented for the past 35 years on 5 continents. He performs primarily on alto saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet, and the shakuhachi - an endblown Japanese bamboo flute. His solo work utilizes an expanded palette of sonic language, creating a kind of personal idiom all its own. He's worked with John Zorn, Sting, Elvis Costello, Liu Sola and Marc Ribot, among many others. Sainkho Namtchylak and Rothenberg have performed over 50 duo concerts together, a collaboration documented in their cd Amulet. Jochen Metzner writes in the Berlin daily Tagespiegel, "Ned Rothenberg is absolutely phenomenal.. (He has) opened up new and unheard expressive possibilities for wind instruments." About the duo with Sainkho the Eesti Express wrote: “Their technical virtuosity (I’m tempted to say ‘perfection’), mutual understanding and emotional vibrancy without a hint of contrivance, was extraordinary.” www.nedrothenberg.com