# Carl Maria von Weber: Clarinet Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 · Concertino · Clarinet Quintet

> Carl Maria von Weber: Clarinet Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 · Concertino · Clarinet Quintet – Kari Kriikku, Finnish…. Ondine ODE 895-2, CD, released April 1997.

Source: https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-895-2

- **Composer:** Carl Maria von Weber
- **Work(s):** Clarinet Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 · Concertino · Clarinet Quintet
- **Performers:** Kari Kriikku, clarinet; Finnish RSO; Sakari Oramo, conductor; New Helsinki Quartet
- **Label:** Ondine
- **Catalogue no.:** ODE 895-2
- **Format:** CD
- **Release date:** 1 April 1997
- **EAN / UPC:** 0761195089521
- **Tracks:** 13, total 75:24
- **Genres:** Chamber, Instrumental, Orchestral
- **Series:** Critics' choices
- **Awards:** Fono Forum 'Stern des Monats', Diapason d'or, Classica-Répertoire 'R10 du mois'

## Track listing

**Carl Maria von Weber**

- *Clarinet Concerto No. 1 in F minor, Op. 75*
1. I. Allegro (Cadenza: Kari Kriikku) (8:13)
2. II. Adagio ma non troppo (6:46)
3. III. Rondo (Allegretto) (5:42)
- *Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 74*
4. I. Allegro (8:28)
5. II. Andante con moto (Cadenza: Kari Kriikku) (6:56)
6. III. Alla Polacca (6:29)
- *Concertino for Clarinet and Orchestra, Op. 26*
7. I. Adagio ma non troppo (2:50)
8. II. Andante (Cadenza: Kari Kriikku) (4:57)
9. III. Allegro (2:00)
- *Clarinet Quintet in B flat major, Op. 34*
10. I. Allegro (7:02)
11. II. Fantasia (Adagio) (5:02)
12. III. Menuetto (4:55)
13. IV. Rondo (Allegro) (6:04)

## About this recording

Finnish star clarinetist Kari Kriikku performs the clarinet works of Carl Maria von Weber. This recording has contributed to the rediscovery of the two concertos, one concertino, and one quintet, which Weber composed for the great clarinet soloist of his time, Heinrich Joseph Bärmann (1784-1847).

Sakari Oramo here conducts the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra in the orchestral works, while the New Helsinki Quartet performs together with Kari Kriikku in the Quintet (which was previously released in 1994 as [ODE 820-2](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-820-2)). Kari Kriikku plays his own cadenzas.

## Features

Booklet with liner notes in English, German, French and Finnish

## Press

"Swingender" Vibrato-Belcanto, atemberaubende Staccatotechnik, attraktive Superdynamik (...) Spitzenniveau!

Gerhard Pätzig, Fono Forum, November 1997, Stern

These are brilliant performances of works that more or less reinvented the clarinet as an instrument of brilliance. (...) Kari Kriikku has such a wide range of expression and such an intelligent approach to the music.

John Warrack, Gramophone, September 1997

Kari Kriikku is absolutely sensational throughout (the First Concerto) and keeps the listener riveted by his wonderful virtuosity and range of colours, contrasting utterly briilliant passagework with beauutifully controlled phrasing.

Tim Payne, BBC Music Magazine, September 1997, Performance *** / Sound **

Outre le clarinettiste Kriikku, prodige d'omniprésence lyrique et d'élans intimes admirables autant que virtuose débordant de verve et d'humour, l'Orchestre Symphonique de la Radio d'Helsinki et son chef Sakari Oramo (...) doivent être cités en exemple pour leur accompagnement exhaustif, chaleureux, nuancé, équilibré, qui colle à l'oeuvre par l'esprit et le coeur.

Jean Hamon, Répertoire, September 1997, 10 de Répertoire

Highly recommendable disc (...). (Kari Kriikku's) refined tone and virtuosity (...) would surely have inspired Weber too: this is playing of quite exceptional quality by a master of the instrument.

Barry Millington, The Times, July 17, 1997

Kriikku's mastery and stylish acumen are beautifully supported by conductor and orchestra, sensationally so by the string players during the Quintet.

BBC Radio 3 In Tune, 8+9/1997

## Buy or stream

- [Buy](https://Ondine.lnk.to/ODE8952OW)

## Related pages

- [Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826)](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/composers/weber-carl-maria-von.md)
- [Kari Kriikku, clarinet](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/kriikku-kari.md)
- [New Helsinki Quartet, Ensemble](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/artists/new-helsinki-quartet.md)

## Also recommended

- [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart & · Johann Melchior Molter: Clarinet Concertos](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1056-2.md): Kari Kriikku, clarinet · Tapiola Sinfonietta · John Storgårds, conductor (ODE 1056-2, 2005)
- [Bernhard Henrik Crusell: Clarinet Concertos](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-965-2.md): Kari Kriikku, clarinet · Finnish RSO · Sakari Oramo, conductor (ODE 965-2, 2000)
- [Bernhard Henrik Crusell: Complete Clarinet Quartets](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-727-2.md): Kari Kriikku, clarinet · Members of Avanti! Quartet (ODE 727-2, 1989)