Accordion artist Maria Kalaniemi, together with jouhikko artist Pekko Käppi, created an exceptional artwork based on a Kalevala poem. What emerged was a runo-song in Swedish, telling a story that portrays the inexplicable, emotionally moving power of music. “Tåreportens Pärla” is a magical journey where powerful harmonies, delicate melodies, and resonating church bells play together. The album was released digitally on New Year’s Day and as a CD on January 9, 2026. The album has received rave reviews since it appeared on digital platforms.

Over her more than 40-year career, Maria Kalaniemi has redefined the concept of the accordion and the music played with it. Characterized by a special sensitivity as a performing artist and a high level of virtuosity in mastering her instrument, her solo performances and band tours have taken her career across the globe alongside her domestic and international projects, from the concert hall in Vienna and the festival hall in Tokyo to a manor hall in Espoo. She has award-winningly showcased the Finnish-Swedish musical heritage in her repertoire while also creating an abundance of her own compositions. In 2018, Kalaniemi was awarded the State Prize for Music and membership in the Royal Swedish Academy of Music.

Pekko Käppi is specialized not only in the millennia-old jouhikko playing, but also in the most obscure and dusty margins of the archaic unwritten singing tradition. His raw, stripped-down performances have captivated audiences both at home and on international stages. Finnish voodoo and archaic primal force irresistibly work their magic in his music.