This CD contains three works featuring clarinet which were written by Finnish composer Kimmo Hakola for his compatriot Kari Kriikku.
The 42-minute Clarinet Quintet (1997) consists of two contrasting movements and exhibits, like the other two works, a ready sense of humour and a fascination for Oriental music (both real and imagined), with melismatic ornaments, hypnotic repetition and exotic sensuality. It features Kari Kriikku with the Avanti! Quartet (John Storgårds, violin; Anna Hohti-Jaatinen, violin; Tuula Riisalo, viola; Lea Pekkala, cello). Capriole, written for the unusual combination of bass clarinet and cello, was premièred by Kari Kriikku and Anssi Karttunen in 1991 and won Hakola the Unesco composers’ rostrum nomination two years later. Loco, for solo clarinet, combines traditional demonic virtuoso performance with a modern quest for new modes of expression.
Kimmo Hakola (1958-)
Clarinet Quintet (1997)42:20
1I. Process13:45
2II. Meditation28:35
3Loco, for solo clarinet (1995)19:45
4Capriole, for bass clarinet and cello (1991)8:37