This disc not only presents the brilliant Swedish clarinettist Martin Fröst in a dazzling range of encore pieces but, with the help of his own explanatory notes, also provides a charming potted autobiography. It may seem strange that the opening item, a Scriabin Prelude, should come in such a prominent position, but Fröst explains that it was the first encore he devised impromptu early in his career. He follows that with a simple arrangement of the Bach-Gounod Ave Maria: Fröst plays the simple arpeggios of the Bach Prelude and the great melody is played by an array of string soloists. The Presto from Bach’s G minor Sonata for solo violin provides a welcome contrast, deftly done, and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Flight of the Bumble-Bee brings more miracles of rapid tonguing from Fröst.

Messager’s Solo de concours is a delightful rarity, ranging over a sequence of moods and ending with fireworks. Let’s Be Happy proves to be a sort of csárdás, and a real one comes courtesy of Vittorio Monti. Chopin’s E flat Nocturne is hauntingly done, as is Schumann’s “Dein Angesicht”. Anders Hillborg’s The Peacock Moment was written specially for Fröst, and the clarinettist’s Improvisation offers his own cadenza for Malcolm Arnold’s Clarinet Concerto No 2, another virtuoso showpiece. Each item reflects some personal experience in Fröst’s career, including Smile, his adaptation of music that Charlie Chaplin wrote for his film Modern Times. The Bridal Waltz was written for Fröst’s wedding by his brother, Göran, who is also the viola player in in the accompanying ensemble. Most of the items are accompanied by Roland Pöntinen, who has many virtuoso moments, adding to the sparkle of the sequence – altogether a wonderful showcase for a superb artist.