"There is a strong sense of tonality amongst this repertoire as well as aspects of atonality that pervade Agobet's music. There is also much virtuosity within these works, with rhythm and orchestral colour playing a vital role. Structure is strong - any weakness in compositional technique would be easily and immediately noticeable in this idiom.
The opening work, Génération, is in three movements and harks back to the Baroque structure of the concerto grosso, with a dialogue between the three solo clarinets and the orchestra. This is, however, as far as the link goes; the Baroque influence not extending to the overall form of the work or to the harmonic and rhythmic language. The three clarinettists in this recording - Michel Portal, Paul Meyer and Alain Billard - are extremely musical and precise, each tackling their challenging roles with equal conviction.
Supporters of contemporary music who may have not heard any music from this composer should certainly give this disc a try - thoroughly recommended. "