[Dixielandjazz] Kari Kriikku swings Mozart

[Stephen G Barbone]

Mostly for the reed players on list, many of whom if classically  
trained, played this concerto. This review about a performance during  
the "Mostly Mozart" Festival which runs in NYC through August 23rd.
Cheers,
Steve Barbone
www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband

August 18, 2008 - NY TIMES - By VIVIEN SCHWEITZER


Jazzy Clarinet for Mozart, and Mostly Finnish Touch

It might seem incongruous to be reminded of jazz while listening to  
Mozart’s glorious Clarinet Concerto. But when the clarinetist Kari  
Kriikku gave an inspired performance of the work at Avery Fisher Hall  
on Friday, he swayed with abandon and played with the soulful  
spontaneity of a saxophonist in a band.

Osmo Vanska, music director of the Minnesota Orchestra, is also a  
physically exuberant player, who crouches, jumps, shakes his fists at  
players and waves his arms above his head on the podium. He coaxed  
exciting playing from the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra, with  
finely etched phrases, sharp dynamic contrasts and a thrilling  
intensity to match his Finnish colleague.

Mr. Kriikku played a basset clarinet, as did Anton Stadler, for whom  
Mozart composed the piece in 1791. The early instrument has a lower  
range than its modern counterpart, so the lowest notes Mr. Kriikku  
played are usually transposed higher. He flubbed an occasional  
passage, but performed with startling sensitivity and a warmly fluid  
tone. The audience in Avery Fisher seemed to be holding its collective  
breath during one beautiful triple pianissimo moment in the second  
movement Adagio. . . .