An extremely sensitive player with a seemingly flawless command of his instrument, Kari Kriikku is undoubtedly one of the world's foremost clarinetists, and a champion of contemporary music. He is renowned for his interpretations of Webers clarinet concertos as well as new works written to him. Among these works is festival composer Van der Aas Hysteresis from 2011 which Kriikku will perform during this year’s festival together with Trondheim Sinfonietta. Kriikku is a founding member of the Avanti! Chamber Orchestra, and has been the ensemble’s artistic director since its beginnings in 1998.

Kriikku was announced recipient of the prestigious Nordic Council Music Prize in 2009. The prize committee wrote: “Kari Kriikku is an extraordinary virtuoso on his instrument the clarinet. His performance is characterised by flexibility and a positive musician’s joy - he is a musician in the best sense of the word”.