The cultural history of the clarinet is closely associated with 19th century French musical tradition. The school of clarinet playing at the Paris Conservatory and its lively exchange with French instrument builders led to a specific style that was continually developed by contemporary composers. Debussy was the lone star; his retinue contained such composers as Florent Schmitt, born in 1870. But it was first the Group of Six, which included Honegger, Milhaud and Poulenc, that turned away from Impressionism and lead French music into the modern age with geometric forms, rhythmic pithiness and polytonally organized harmonies. This exciting phase of music history is heard in all its glory on this album with Ralph Manno and Alfredo Perl.