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CD No: AMCD754 by Maria Kalaniemi Trio called Tokyo Concert. Released: 2004

Short description: Kalaniemi, Alakotila and Varis - superb

The Review: Maria Kalaniemi Trio features three of the most talented and distinguished musicians in Finland today. Continuing in the spirit of their previous group, Maria Kalaniemi & Aldargaz, the trio is known for their exceptional skills in composing and arranging as well as for their brilliance as players. Maria Kalaniemi Trio perform mostly original compositions by accordionist Maria Kalaniemi and pianist Timo Alakotila, with some Finnish traditional pieces.
Maria Kalaniemi is established in Finland and abroad as one of the world's most talented accordionists, not only as a technically skilled player but also as a gifted composer.
Maria's specialty is the 5 row button accordion and she began playing at the age of eight. Her first real training was in classical music where she studied for eleven years. During these studies she developed an interest in traditional Finnish folk music and began working in that field, as well, as performing solo and with fiddlers. The "double life of Maria" continued until 1983 when two major breakthroughs occurred. Maria was voted winner of the Golden Accordion, a live nationally televised accordion competition. The direct result of this was the opportunity to record her, today very rare, first album. Maria also entered Helsinki's Sibelius Academy and the newly established Folk Music Department. Soon after entering, she finished her classical training completely and devoted all her time and energies to folk music. Also in 1983, Maria and other Sibelius Academy Folk Music Department students formed the pioneering ensemble Niekku, a group who set out and succeeded to reinvent Finnish folk music. Niekku pushed trad Finnish folk into unexplored territories and established themselves as leaders of what became known as the "New Finnish Folk" movement. Key words:

The Band: Maria Kalaniemi Trio Finland

Band members:
693 Olli Varis (Guitar) 61


CD Tracks: 1. Napoleon
2. Kaamos
3. Kuujärvi
4. Ellin Polkka
5. Slingerdansin
6. Huuma (Los Mareados)
7. Säde
8. Olin Sairas Kun Luokseni Saavuit
9. Oradea
10. Linjärv
11. Satumaa
12. Ahma
13. Lappfjärd