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RAMUNDER
Maria Kalaniemi — accordion, voice Marianne Maans — violin, jouhikko, voice Olli Varis — acoustic guitar, mandolin, bouzouki RAMUNDER is the name of a heroic giant from a 15th century medieval western Scandinavian legend, as well as the name of the recent project from acclaimed accordionist Maria Kalaniemi, violinist Marianne Maans and guitarist/mandolinist Olli Varis. Maria and Marianne are of the Finnish-Swedish tradition and the focus of Ramunder is on the vast collection of folk music of the Swedish speaking people of Finland. Ancient and traditional songs from the collection are performed as well as many exceptional original compositions. The resulting music is a warm and inviting journey where accordion, violin, stringed instruments and voices weave their way into a little known but fascinating musical world. MARIA KALANIEMI (accordion, voice) — Maria is simply one of this world’s most gifted accordionists. Studies at Sibelius Academy Folk Music Department and work with classical, folk, rock, jazz and dance music have helped her to become as versatile as she is technically skilled. Proficient on 1-row, 2-row, standard 5-row and free-bass 5-row accordions, Maria has been involved with several groups: Niekku, Aldargaz, Helsinki Melodeon Ladies, Pidot, Unto Tango Orchestra, Maria Kalaniemi Trio and Ramunder. She has also worked with several Finnish singers and with international artists such as British accordionist Karen Tweed, Irish accordionist Sharon Shannon, Swedish nyckelharpa genius Johan Hedin, Swedish fiddler Sven Ahlbäck, Swedish eccentric Lars Hollmer, Japanese singer Halo, Japanese conceptualist Yasunori Mitsuda and the international accordion collective Accordion Tribe. Maria has received numerous prizees, awards and grants including the prestigious "Prize of Finland" award for artistic excellence. MARIANNE MAANS (violin, jouhikko, voice) — Violinist Marianne Maans is known in Finland for her work with the excellent and imaginative folk music ensemble Pirnales, who recorded three albums over a career of five years. Marianne, skilled also as vocalist and performer of jouhikko has studied and taught at Sibelius Academy Folk Music Department and several other institutions in Finland. In addition she has been involved with many varied projects including Kvedar, featuring five Norwegian singers plus dancer and Swedish musician performing medieval songs and ballads. Marianne has also been active with several music and art installations as well as theatre projects. OLLI VARIS (acoustic guitar, mandolin, bouzouki) — Olli Varis has worked with folk and rock groups in Finland going back twenty years, including the first incarnation of Värttinä. Subsequent ventures, including comprehensive work at Sibelius Academy Folk Music Department, include Aldargaz, Helsinki Mandoliners and work with singer Anna-Kaisa Liedes. He has composed music for Aldargaz recordings and is reponsible for the guitar sounds on the exquisite Aldargaz albums IHO and AHMA. He has released a CD/notebook for folk tunes on guitar and has produced and engineered albums by Finnish folk and rock artists.
Recordings Kalaniemi / Maans / Varis — RAMUNDER (Finnish Accordion Institute FAICD 16) 2000
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