Maria Kalaniemi (born 1964, Espoo) is a Finnish accordionist, composer and professor who has spent four decades reshaping what the accordion can express. Trained classically at the Sibelius Academy - where she later became one of the first to graduate with an MMus in folk music - she developed a deeply personal technique she calls runo playing, combining free-bass button accordion with her own voice. Her work spans Finnish and Finland-Swedish folk traditions, chamber music and improvisation, and she has performed across Europe, North America and Japan. In 2024 she was inducted into the Finnish Music Hall of Fame.
Kalaniemi was inducted into the Finnish Music Hall of Fame (Suomen musiikin kunniagalleria) at a celebration concert in Sellosali, Espoo.
Kalaniemi undertook a Sweden tour with Timo Alakotila in October 2025, followed by concerts in Nurmijärvi and Espoo.
Kalaniemi performed a solo concert in Jyväskylä in November 2025.
Her album Mielo, recorded with harmonium artist Eero Grundström, was released on 24 April 2020 and reached the top 10 on World Music Charts Europe for the best albums of the year.
The album Svalan reached number one on the World Music Charts Europe in July 2017.
😴 Nothing scheduled with this artist in the near future.
88concertWed 21.10.Laura Moisio: Aina jossain muualla (album release) + Julia Rautamaa
85concertThu 22.10.Laura Moisio - Aina jossain muualla
80concertFri 6.11.Giitu - Thank You - Sámi Culture in Helsinki: Opening Concert of the Shared Village Exhibition
74concertMon 26.10.Frigg
72concertSun 1.11.Gentlemen on Stage - Pasi Kaunisto, Kai Hyttinen, Danny, Eino Grön and Eikka Eronen
66concertThu 1.10.Laura Moisio
63concertSat 17.10.Piirpauke
63concertFri 6.11.FRIGG and Lohja City Orchestra
57concertFri 16.10.Laura Moisio - Aina jossain muualla
57concertSat 17.10.Laura Moisio
57concertFri 6.11.Laura Moisio - Aina jossain muualla
57concertFri 13.11.Laura Moisio