His musicianship and unique sound influenced the art of clarinet playing in Israel and Europe in the second half of the 20th century.
Between 1947 and 1964, Ettlinger was first clarinetist with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, and played under conductors Zubin Mehta, Sergiu Celibidache, and Paul Paray among others.
Ettlinger took part in forming some of Israel's leading chamber ensembles, including the Tel Aviv Quartet, with which he performed and recorded until his death.
With the Tel Aviv Quartet and with pianist Pnina Salzman, Ettlinger performed in some of the major festivals and cultural centers in the United States, South America, Europe, Australia and the Far East.
In addition to his career as soloist, orchestra player, conductor and teacher, Ettlinger added to the clarinet literature a couple of important arrangements from the Baroque and the early Classical period.