 "
Accordionist Maria Kalaniemi and pianist Timo Alakotila have been working
together for more than a decade. During this highly active and productive
period collaborating in many formations, most notably as prime components
in the contemporary acoustic ensemble "Aldargaz", Maria and Timo's
musical alliance has grown as tight and as complimentary as can be imagined
This album "Ambra" is the first full-scale duo project from Maria
and Timo. It reflects their varied musical history where tango, iskelma
(old Finnish schlager), folk music and their own imaginary music-worlds
are in harmony together. Renditions of the classical songs all have new
faces and new life. Perhaps the most obvious example, and most noticeably
characteristic of the duo's arranging style, is their interpretation of
the Reino Helismaa standard "Rakovalkealla", where the subtle
beauty of the melody reaches new heights......"This is an excerpt from the text on the album cover. I like to include artist's write ups and explanations about their recordings as, to me, that gives them a chance to convey to the listener and reader what they had in mind and wanted to achieve while making the recording. Often, it explains the content of the recording in the best way, as is the case this time. 
Maria Kalaniemi is a master of free-bass button accordion, and one of Finland's
leading contemporary accordionists. Once a member of pioneering group "Niekku",
from the famed Sibelius Academy Folk Music Department (where she graduated
from and now teaches), her roots are in folk and classical music but her
sights and abilities go far beyond existing styles. Technically brilliant
as a player, and adept at improvisation, she is also a very powerful, intuitive
and sensitive composer, with pieces that stylistically touch in numerous
areas but feature her own personality as the driving force.Maria has released many albums, the latest a duo with pianist Timo Alakotila. She is also a member of a female melodeon quintet called "The Helsinki Melodeon Ladies" and a Swedish-Finnish music group "Ramunder". Maria has toured and performed with Aldargaz and with the Maria Kalaniemi Trio throughout Europe, USA and in Canada. I believe I met Maria Kalaniemi in Poland (Bjalistok) in 1986 at the Coupe Mondiale, and remember being totally amazed with her performance even then. Artistically, this is a competent, powerful, convincing and POTENT performance. The musical and performing culture of Maria and Timo is of the highest standard. They are obviously professionals in what they do and this album is a musical experience that leaves a deep impression. It has an atmosphere to it, it is classy and with exceptional taste. Above all, it does have its "musical truth" so to speak, and it is conveyed with passion and convincingly. ***** |
