# Kari Kriikku gives the world première of Kaija Saariaho's Clarinet Concerto

> On September 8, 2010, Kari Kriikku gave the world première performance in Helsinki of Kaija Saariaho's clarinet concerto, 'D'OM LE VRAI SENS', with the…

Source: https://ondine.eyelabel.com/news/kari-kriikku-gives-the-world-premi-re-of-kaija-saariaho-s-clarinet-concerto

- **Category:** News
- **Date:** 9 September 2010
- **Publisher:** Ondine

On September 8, 2010, Kari Kriikku gave the world première performance in Helsinki of [Kaija Saariaho's clarinet concerto, 'D'OM LE VRAI SENS'](http://www.chesternovello.com/default.aspx?TabId=2432&State_3041=2&workId_3041=43424), with the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra under the baton of chief conductor Sakari Oramo.*

D'OM LE VRAI SENS* brings together two of Finland's finest ambassadors of music, [Kari Kriikku](http://www.ondine.net/index.php?lid=en&cid=3.2&oid=527) and [Kaija Saariaho](http://www.ondine.net/index.php?lid=en&cid=4.2&oid=614), two friends and regular collaborators. This is the first work Saariaho has written for solo clarinet and orchestra. The concerto will be recorded for a CD release by Ondine in 2011.

Other co-commissioners with whom Kari Kriikku will première the work in the 2010/11 season are: BBC Symphony Orchestra and David Robertson; Orquestra Nacional do Porto (where Kaija Saariaho is featured as composer in residence) and John Storgårds; Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and John Storgårds; Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France and Esa-Pekka Salonen ([at the Présence Festival, Paris](http://liveweb.arte.tv/fr/video/Salonen_au_festival_Presences___LA_Variations_et_Edgard_Varese/3329/)).

In the composer's words, "the general idea of this piece is based on the famous medieval tapestries called *La Dame à la Licorne* [displayed at the [Musée National du Moyen Âge](http://www.musee-moyenage.fr/homes/home_id20393_u1l2.htm) in Paris]. The subject matter is the five senses and the 'sixth sense'. These six tapestries give their names to the six parts of the piece."

A prolific champion of new music, and the [recipient of the prestigious Nordic Music Council Prize in 2009](http://ondine.net/?lid=en&cid=1&oid=4126), Kari Kriikku has inspired many native composers to write for him; Magnus Lindberg, whose concerto he last performed in March 2010 with the New York Philharmonic in Carnegie Hall under the baton of Alan Gilbert; Kimmo Hakola's colourful, mesmerising concerto which notably had fantastic performances under the baton of Semyon Bychkov both with WDR Köln and the orchestra of La Scala, Milan; *Puro* and *Missa* by Jukka Tiensuu have had an equally high level of exposure. A recording of *Missa*, with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and John Storgårds, the latest of Kriikku's extensive discography on the Ondine label, will be released in autumn 2010 ([ODE 1166-2](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1166-2)). The recording of Lindberg's Clarinet Concerto has received critical acclaim, not least a Gramophone Award and a BBC Music Magazine Award in 2006 ([ODE 1038-2](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1038-2)).

For more information, in Finnish, visit the website of the [Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE](http://yle.fi/uutiset/kulttuuri/2010/09/kaija_saariaho_inspiroitui_klarinettikonserttoonsa_aisteista_1961848.html).

## Related release

- [Jukka Tiensuu: Vie · Missa, for clarinet and orchestra · False Memories I–III](https://ondine.eyelabel.com/catalogue/ode-1166-2.md): Kari Kriikku, clarinet · Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra · John Storgårds (ODE 1166-2, 2010)