This recording features Finland’s star clarinetist Kari Kriikku with the première recording of Jukka Tiensuu’s second clarinet concerto Missa, written for him in 2007. Also included are the orchestral pieces Vie (2007) and False Memories I-III (2008) by the same composer.

Jukka Tiensuu is regarded as one of the most fascinating Finnish living composer along with Einojuhani Rautavaara, Kaija Saariaho, and Magnus Lindberg. His first clarinet concerto Puro, written for Kari Kriikku in 1989, has since known a phenomenal success, with fifty acclaimed performances around the globe.

Kari Kriikku, the muse to a number of Finland’s high profile composers, has previously made acclaimed recordings of clarinet concertos by Magnus Lindberg (2006 BBC Music Magazine Award & Classic FM Gramophone Award; ODE 1038-2), Kimmo Hakola (OD 063), and Jouni Kaipainen, in addition to Jukka Tiensuu’s Puro (OD 778). Upon the world premiere of Missa in Glasgow on May 4, 2007, The Scotsman wrote, "Kari Kriikku was the solitary star. His ability to get effects out of his instrument was clearly the inspiration behind Tiensuu’s concerto."

The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra is led on this disc by their chief conductor John Storgårds, who has made several award-winning recordings of contemporary music.