Clarinetist presents this album as "a return to the artist's life, a rebirth," in the perfect French word, a rejouissance. The album marked his return to recording after an accident and also the restarting of concert life in France after the worst stages of the COVID-19 pandemic had passed. Sadly, it may also have gained attention for being one of the last recordings of , who here conducts the . Whatever the balance of factors, the result is an exceptionally lively performance of these two standards. properly plays the Larghetto movement of the , at a moderate tempo, not matching the Adagio slow movement of the , and the results are magical. His interactions with the throughout the entire represent chamber music playing at the highest level. The is not quite as perfect, with even the "chamber orchestra" slightly overpowering the music (and not helped by the oversized sound environment of the Philharmonie de Paris), but 's playing itself is electric, often taking just the slightest bit of extra time to bring out an unexpected melodic turn. A wonderful return to recording life. ~ James Manheim