Pierre Boulez - Domaines (1968) pour clarinette et groupes instrumentaux

A classic recording of one of Boulez’ most approachable works, for clarinet solo and 21 instruments, with Diego Masson directing the Ensemble Musique Vivante. “Michel Portal makes the clarinet soloist a Harlequin figure, a sparkling show-off who, in the first half of the work, provokes the six separate instrumental ensembles into lively expostulation. In the second half the ensembles lead, and the clarinet is provoked, interrupting with impatience, a free-thinking individualist pouring scorn on the attempts at collective comment by all but one of the ensembles. The exception is an ensemble of one, a solo bass clarinet who could, we feel, get the better of the main soloist if the work were to move into a third phase.“ (Arnold Whittall)