The Clarinet Sonatas by Saint-Saëns and Poulenc are both late works, but they're very different in feeling: the Saint-Saëns generally relaxed and classical, the Poulenc more excitable, swinging instantly from tender melody to brittle attack. Sabine Meyer brings consummate artistry to both, with beautifully light tonguing in the Scherzo of the Saint-Saëns and a touchingly inward tone for Poulenc's marking of très doux et mélancolique...

Sabine Meyer's credential as a solo clarinettist need no advocacy from me; they are already borne out by a number of fine EMI recordings, especially of Mozart. Here she turns to delectable French music with equal success, well partnered by Oleg Maisenberg. A most winning disc, truthfully recorded...