At long last a book about the clarinet written by a French

specialist who is one of the most talented clarinet player of

his generation. Indeed we have been waiting for a long time

for such a publication.

The author is neither the best known soloist nor the musician

everyone talks about, but his interpretations possess a

universal dimension. When you hear him perform Olivier

Messiaen's 'Quatuor pour la fin du Temps' you know how

exceptional he is.

His musicianship is completed by some research work he

has carried out on the clarinet; for this, he was awarded a

Master's Degree in musicology from Vincennes-Saint-Denis

University. This is what we are given to read in this delightful,

original and well-researched book. Indeed, it can be

said to offer a completely new viewpoint on the instrument,

its history and the part it has played in the French society.

How many clarinet players know that there were nineteen

clarinet classes when the Paris Conservatoire opened?

From facts to anecdotes, this book takes the reader in the

worlds of culture, literature, friendship, timbre, intonation,

nature, escape, talent, range and evolution, all these characterise

our beautiful instrument.

Cyrille Mercadier