"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