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Ned Rothenberg - Peter A. Schmid
En Passant
Creative Works, 2004
by Dr. Christian Carey Multi-instrumentalists Peter A. Schmid and Ned Rothenberg are experienced improvisers, but even their impressive resumes do not prepare one for the impact of En Passant, a series of duets recorded entirely off-the-cuff during a single day recording session in Switzerland, April 1, 2003. While there are no April Fools Day pranks played on the recording, there is a pervasive sense of surprise and spontaneity that is rare, even by the standards of free improvisation.
Though there are only two participants, the rotating assortment of instruments that they employ supplies ample timbral variety. I am particularly fond of the fifth piece on the recording (no titles, just track numbers here), where Schmid plays contrabass clarinet and Rothenberg plays shakuhachi; it is a celebration of low end sonorities, bent notes, and occasional extended techniques - squeals, multiphonics, etc. Also exciting is "#9," on which Schmid plays tubax and Rothenberg plays alto saxophone - trills, sepulchral tubax blats and alto squalls combine in a piece that manages to harness skronk mayhem into a structured and purposeful colloquy. "#12" ends the album on a frolicsome note, with both performers playing burbling and bumptious licks on bass clarinets, one-upping each other in a formidable display of prowess. Don't pass up En Passant.
-January 26, 2005