The Karlsruhe-based Josef Schelb (1894–1977) is one of the better-kept secrets of twentieth-century German music.

His output was substantial: he lost most of his early music in abombing raid in 1942, but – as if to make up for lost time – wrote some150 more works after that.

These four, for clarinet in various chamber combinations, show hismusic emerging from the influence of Hindemith and Berg.

They have a freewheeling energy, contrapuntal command andrhythmic charge of its own – often animated by a touch of devilishhumour.

Two of these works receive their first recordings here.