If Frédéric François Chopin has been called the poet of the piano, then Portland pianist David Rothman could be described as its scholar. His approach to learning and performing the works of the 19th century Polish composer is comprehensive and methodical. His technique is thoughtful and precise, with unassuming poise and keystrokes that sound like whispers against the ivory.
Rothman has been invited to Portland State’s Lincoln Hall by the Retired Associates of PSU and the university music department. At 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, he will perform solo works by Chopin, including “Mazurkas,” Opus 6, and “Nocturnes,” Opus 62 and 72. In addition, he will play Franz Liszt’s “Rhapsodie Espagnole.”
This will make Rothman’s first performance for the Retired Associates group, whose members first became acquainted with his work through previous recitals at Portland’s historical Old Church, where he regularly plays.
“A number of us heard him play at the Old Church, and we were very impressed with his playing,” said David Sessions, Retired Associates program committee adviser.
Michael Barnes, scheduler and event coordinator of the Old Church Sack Lunch Recitals, also offered glowing commentary about Rothman’s performances.
“I went to his very first concert [at the Old Church]. There was a huge crowd of people there,” he said. “He gets really involved in the music.”
Sessions also expressed excitement over the Lincoln Hall space to be used. The PSU Music Department has offered the use of its Chamber Room 326 for the recital.
“David’s performance will be the first time RAPSU has had the opportunity to have a performer play in the new chamber room on the Steinway D piano,” Sessions said.
The recently renovated Lincoln Hall’s new Chamber room is a small but inviting space of whites and warm tones, crowned by the Steinway grand piano. Arched highlights angle from the ceiling to capture the sun, bathing the room in natural light.
Travis Chapman, a performance major working for the music department, took this reporter to see the Chamber room.
“I played my recital here, and it was really great,” he said, teasing a few chords out of the room’s grand piano. “It’s smaller than the main hall, so you’re closer to the audience. It’s more intimate.”
For Rothman, the pursuit of music seems to be a scholarly matter, undertaken to the minutest detail. His current project involves the preparation of a series consisting of nearly the entirety of Chopin’s library.
“He spends a lot of time studying the music,” Barnes said. “He always plays by memory. He’s working on everything that Chopin’s ever wrote—except one piece, which he can’t stand,” he added with a laugh.
Rothman’s mother, Patricia Backlar, professor of Biomedical Ethics at PSU, shared similar anecdotes about his methodical approach to learning music.
“He did the Beethoven cycle a few years ago, and now he’s been doing the Chopin cycle,” Backlar said. “It’s like anything else. If you’re studying in a particular field, it’s always good to study in depth.”
Rothman’s performance is part of Retired Associates’ regular events, which are scheduled the first and second Thursdays of the month throughout the school year. Events include lectures and cultural events. In addition, the music department has arranged to enable the use of Lincoln Hall for two recitals per year. Previous guests have included pianist Thomas Lauderdale, Christine Meadows of the Portland State Opera program and the Oregon Ballet Theatre, among others.
“The music department has been extremely helpful in setting this up and coordinating with the multicultural center,” where Retired Associates’ recitals were previously held, Sessions explained.
Eventually, Rothman hopes to perform his entire library of Chopin here in Portland. That may be a lofty goal, but Barnes believes in his determination and dedication to music. As he explained, for some people music is of foremost importance; Rothman is one of those people.
“Some people live in the world of music,” Barnes mused. “That’s where they dwell.”