Pulkkis, Uljas - Tales of Joy, Passion and Love - Lintu, Hannu

Kari Kriikku, clarinet

Gabriel Suovanen, baritone

Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra

Hannu Lintu, conductor

This recording features Kari Kriikku ("physically imposing and an Olympic-level virtuoso" - The New York Times) performing Uljas Pulkkinen's clarinet concerto Tales of Joy, Passion, and Love. This joyful work, in which the clarinet soloist performs like a dramatic tenor, was written for Kari Kriikku in 2005/2010. Its final movement, Tales of Love, includes a meditative arrangement of Thomas Moore's poem "She sang of Love" from Irish Melodies, with baritone Gabriel Suovanen as the second soloist.

Also included are seven orchestral fantasies from On the Crest of Waves (2003) and the symphonic poem Vernal Bloom (2008). All of the works on display feature brilliant harmonies and both romantic and impressionistic dimensions.