Formed in 1993, this outstanding orchestra of young musicians from Kazan has toured and competed internationally. They have won:

In concert the orchestra which has three accordionists, presents a lively and entertaining show with music ranging from Folk Music of the Kazan area as well as Siberia and Russia, to modern Tatar music, traditional folk music of the east, Russian and Western European classical music as well as Latin-American music.

Many of the musicians in the group double on other instruments. For example, the bass player (pictured right) also performed a solo on a tiny 1 row accordion and the flutist played several whistles. Other soloists included vocalists and accordionists.

With a broad dynamic range from the most subtle to the most majestic fortes, the close knit ensemble displayed precision and warmth throughout its concert.

The orchestra delighted the audience when they performed a rather unusual but entertaining version of the Sakkijarven Polka, a Finnish favorite. The accordion soloist left the stage and wandered through the audience playing the Polka while doing something similar to the Kosak dance steps.

The orchestra was brought back to the stage for two encores, a repeat of the Sakkijarven Polka and a very lively novelty item featuring the solo accordionists for the show, pictured right, a fitting end to an exciting and upbeat concert.

Tatarstan is situated in the center of Russian Federation on the East European plain just to the west of the Ural mountain range and located where the two of Europe's largest rivers Volga and Kama meet. The territory of the republic is about 67, 836.2 km. The capital of the republic is the city of Kazan.

More than 70 nationalities live here, the most numerous of which are Tatars and Russians. The state languages are Tatar and Russian. The population of the republic is about 3,773,800 people.

The capital of Tatarstan republic - city of Kazan is situated in the northwest of Tatarstan. The city is stretched along two banks of Kazanka river - at the place o where it meets with the mighty Volga river. The population of Kazan is more than 1.1 million people.

With a rich cultural heritage, Kazan also has 4 state orchestras, Ensemble of Song and Dance of Tatarstan Republic, second-largest in Russia Bolshoy Concert Hall, Opera, Drama and Doll Theaters. In the city there are seven Higher and Secondary educational institutions of culture and art, over 50 musical and art schools.

August, 30, 2005 in the life of the capital of Tatarstan there will be a significant event - Kazan will mark the 1000-anniversary.

Finnish Folk Queen Maria Kalaniemi gave the audience everything they were expecting and more during her concert with pianist Timo Alakotila at the Uma Tupa in Ikaalinen.

Displaying all the talent that has made her known worldwide as one of Finland's most respected Folk musicians, Maria's repertoire ranges from arrangements of traditional Folk music to original compositions. Her range also spans stradella and mussette sound to free bass and straight tuned reeds.

Timo provided excellent accompaniment allowing Maria to deliver her rich and colorful melody lines for which she is so famous. She treats each note with care from the beginning to the end and also pays attention with equal importance on how she uses the bellows to keep the note alive in-between.

Maria has performed in many countries around the world and currently heads the Folk Music Department at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.

For more information on Maria, please visit the:

Maria Kalaniemi Celebrity Interview