Bizarre Bazaar - Kari Kriikku, Tapiola Sinfonietta

Kari Kriikku, clarinet
Jan Söderblom, violin
Tapiola Sinfonietta
Jan Söderblom, conductor

Kari Kriikku's passion for traditional folk music shines through his new album 'Bizarre Bazaar'. The eclectic programme showcases the use of the clarinet in Jewish klezmer, Portuguese fado, Argentinean tango and Arab music. "I have followed my instincts in gradually bringing together works from various cultures that have impressed me on my travels and then unabashedly adapted those works for concert use," says Kari Kriikku who performs here with the chamber orchestra Tapiola Sinfonietta and additional oud, qanun and laud players. The Finnish press praised their live performances as "vibrantly energetic and entertaining" (Helsingin Sanomat).

Hailed by press and public as one of the world's foremost clarinettists, Kari Kriikku is celebrated for his musical inventiveness and fresh attitude towards traditional performance. His versatility covers numerous periods, ranging from Mozart to contemporary music - he has been a muse to living composers such as Magnus Lindberg, Jukka Tiensuu and Kimmo Hakola.

László Draskóczy (1905-1967)
1Dances from Korond4:24

Helmut Eisel (1955-)
2Babsi's Decision2:56

Ora Bat Chaim (1935-)
3Deine Söhne seien gesegnet (May your sons be blessed)3:32

Traditional
4Nokh a glezl vayn (A second glass of wine)3:08

Roberto Pansera (1932-2005)
5Dance of Joy3:56

Traditional
6Wedding Waltz3:39

Astor Piazolla (1921-1992)
7Café 19307:22
8Bordel 19003:48

Hani Mehanna
9Mashaal4:46

Riad Al-Sumbáti
10Longa2:43

Muhammed Al-Qasabgi (1892-1966)
11Dhikrayat4:45

José Alfonso
12Menino do Bairro Negro4:20

Paulo Abreu Lima
13Feira de Castro5:18