KALANIEMI MARIA JA ALAKOTILA TIMO: ÅKERÖ (ÅKERÖCD011)
' The Super Duo of Folk Music' has performed already 20 years together! Åkerö, released December 2011, is their second duo album !
Åkerö / Syyssoitto / Koskaan et muuttua saa / Kaipaus / Viola / Yötuulet / Kohti Pispalaa / Trädet / Grönbacka / Kengo-Antas vals / Ta in hiid in fiol / Vaiennut viulu / Silta /Soittajan kaipuu
T for Three is a new band playing dance music from 1950-1960.
The band premiered in Kaustinen Folk Music Festival.Their concert was a big hit!
This ensemble has a lot positive energy and the audience can feel it immidiately.
The sound of the band with three incredible solists are giving a lot of satisfaction
for listeners.
Satu Helen(voc)
Marianne Oivo(voc)
Vuokko Hedman(voc)
Mauno Järvelä(vl)
Kaisa Ristiluoma(acc)
Timo Alakotila(piano)
Petri Hakala(guit)
Janne Virkkala(bass)
Cold Love cd (2010) Tango Orchestra Unto (EUCD2281)
The dream team of Finnish tango led by Timo Alakotila perform passionate and elegant Finnish tangos. Members of the group are Pirjo Aittomäki (vocals), Timo Alakotila (piano), Johanna Juhola (accordion), Mauno Järvelä (violin), Petri Hakala (guitar) and Hannu Rantanen (bass) 1. Kylmä rakkaus - 5:15, 2. Kadotetulle - 2:38 ,
3. Miksi juuri hän - 3:51, 4. Ikkunan alla - 4:08,
5. Rannalla - 3:18, 6. Suomorsian - 4:29, 7. Yö ikkunan takana - 4:53, 8. Tangon kotimaa - 3:53,
9. Minä rakastan sinut - 3:27 , 10. Sateen tango - 4:34, 11. Satakielelle - 3:16 , 12. Hektinen hetki - 4:07 ,
13. Pajupensas - 4:44, 14. Siis unohtakaamme - 5:08
Koralli cd(2010) Anna-Karin Korhonen and Timo Alakotila (AKTACD10)
Two pianos and two very different artists have greated illusions of a soloists playing alone and a full orchestra within the same album".
"I wish the listener a good journey to an interesting magic world,guided by two impressive pianists".
Minsku Tammela
Lumikko – Lumen valossa / Menuetti / Yxi Kaunis papillinen polska / Gånglåt efter Finn Hans / Avsked till bruden / Ladybird / Coral / Leksands Tingsmarsch / Blue Amber / Hymn / Kuukehrääjä
The Nordic super trio Nordik Tree (Timo Alakotila, harmonium; Arto Järvelä, fiddle and octave mandolin; Hans Kennemark, fiddle, viola) has released their second album. Besides the Nordic treasure of melodies they play own compositions as well. Waltzes, marches, true polskas, not forgetting the more complex rhythmics
Vals till Vännen Min/Close to Eight/Enviser/Palojoen Marssi/Hymn/Contradans/Vals 333/Hamnö/Bytt Lasses Brudmarsch/Karsk/Menuett från Kronoby/Matka/Begrundan/Peli-Jussi
Tämmäysopas(2010) (book for harmonium-players) Timo Valo and Timo Alakotila (KIJ 65)
Tämmäysopas(Kansanmusiikki-Instituutti) book was published in Kaustinen, Finland in 2010, (instructional book to learn to play harmonium in folk music) from Timo Alakotila and Timo Valo.
The vocals,violin and saxophone carries the melody merging seamlessly into one,drifting effordlessly apart,and interwining around each other and the melody.The piano,double bass and octave mandolin move time and again into the solo position,taking their space with skill.The musical weave is alive and changing.Each musician fills their role in the whole,switching from the soloist into an accompanist and back again.The musicians communicate with nuances and melodies and react responsively to each other's impulses.Each piece leads a life of its own and is never repeated twice in exactly the same way.
Tellu Turkka, vocals
Kukka Lehto,violin
Risto Salmi,saxophones
Timo Alakotila,piano
Petri Hakala,octave mandolin
Hannu Rantanen,bass
Cranes of Spring(2009) transcriptions for Maria Kalaniemi's doctor examin (Sibelius Academy)
The collection “Cranes of spring” includes works for solo accordion as well as arrangements for larger ensembles, consisting of 14 transcriptions, transcribed by Timo Alakotila. The sheet music is accompanied by a CD recording. Through listening to it you can experience the senstitive and powerful interpretations that even the best notation fails to convey.
Tuuli Ihollasi cd(2008) comp Timo Alakotila, lyrics Maarit Aspegre'n, solist Hannu Ilmolahti (BPCD-001)
Composer : Timo ALAKOTILA
Solists : Hannu ILMOLAHTI ja Ida-Maria JUNTUNEN
Musicians mm.
Ismo ESKELINEN – guitar
Maria KALANIEMI – accordion
Eva ALKULA – kantele
Timo ALAKOTILA – grand piano
FELIS String Quartet
"Tyylikäs ja rikas Tuuli Ihollasi"
"Maarit Aspegrenin herkät runot yhdistyvät Timo Alakotilan monipuoliseen ja ilmaisurikkaaseen sävelkieleen tyylikkäästi ja hyvällä maulla".
"Kokonaisuus sisältää hyvinkin paljon erilaisia karaktäärejä ja tunnetiloja.Alakotilan
musiikki soljuu harmonialtaan virtaavasti ja rytmiikaltaan notkeana ja rikkaana."
"Erityisen hienoa äänitteessä on sen ehjä sointimaailma ja upea instrumentointi kokonaisuutena."
Vapaassa Tilassa (2007)Timo Alakotila ja Johanna Juhola(TEXCD077)
Texicalli Records released Timo Alakotila’s and Johanna Juhola’s first joint album Vapaassa Tilassa (In a free space) on 19 September 2007. The album includes the duo’s compositions that lean towards folk music. The ethos behind the Vapaassa Tilassa album was to use an improvisation style familiar to jazz music in traditional folk music. The album also involves a bevy of distinguished guest musicians: Aili Ikonen (vocals), Pekka Kuusisto (violin), Jouni Järvelä (soprano saxophone) Petri Hakala (mandolin) and Roger Tallroth (guitar). Thanks to the various backgrounds of the guest musicians, the folk-improvisation takes-off in many directions.
1. Bali (Alakotila) , 2. Sylvesteri (Juhola) , 3. Vapaassa Tilassa (Alakotila)
4. Paluu (Juhola) , 5. Sheridan (Juhola) , 6. Yli Siniviivan (Juhola)
7. Menuetti ja Polska (Alakotila, Juhola) , 8. Åre polska (trad.)
9. Kevään Ensimmäinen Tango (Juhola) , 10. Heini (Juhola)
All arrangements: Timo Alakotila, Johanna Juhola and guest musicians.
Troka have been praised for their ability to bring a contemporary feel to folk music. Their sound is influenced by both the classical string quartet and traditional ensemble techniques.
Hans, Arto and Timo first met at the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival in Finland, 1984. Hans' band at the time was Forsmark III and their concerts and jams during the Kaustinen Festival made a big impression on Arto and Timo. Forsmark III returned to Kaustinen Festival next summer and that's when the first jam sessions with Forsmark III and JPP began. Since then, sporadic meetings and jams, all fun and fruitful, inspired them to do something together as a real live band.
Tracks
1. Ornunga 2. Inka 3. Islossning 4. Hotschott 5. Könsti Ton
6. All Den Karlek 7. Poppis 8. Jeppo And Overmark 9. Triple Polonaise 10. Lyckönskan
As one who has seen composer/accordionist Maria Kalaniemi perform live numerous times over the last decade, I can tell you that there is a unique character to her concerts that is never quite captured on CD. So it's a huge pleasure to finally have a record of one of those shows that I can slip into the machine any time, and while its never 'like being there,' this recording is a damn fine approximation of the experience. These 13 tracks, recorded in Tokyo and performed with her regular compatriots Timo Alakotila (piano) and Olli Varis (guitar), exude the wide range of emotions she is capable of bringing out of her instrument and more importantly, out of the compositions (primarily written by she or Alakotila). For those who have seen her in concert, this will bring back some of the "chill down your spine" feeling I often get listening to her perform. For those who have not had the good fortune, this is a brilliant start.
Kyllä Tukkipoika Tunnetaan(2004)solist Jorma Hynninen,arrangements Timo Alakotila (Uitto 2004)
1. Kyllä tukkipoika tunnetaan (1:46) 2. Me tulemme taas (4:08)
3. On lautalla pienoinen kahvila (3:24) 4. Tukkipoika se lautallansa (4:11)
5. Vielä niitä honkia humisee (2:33) 6. Kaksi vanhaa tukkijätkää (5:36)
7. Saimaan balladi (Kaunis Veera) (4:56) 8. Tuonne taakse metsämaan (5:05)
9. Lemmenlaulu savotalla (3:27) 10. Metsämiehen laulu (4:10)
11. Sä muistatko metsätien (3:31) 12. Savotan Sanni (2:05)
13. Pieni jätkä / Jätkän lauantai (4:11)
Improvise in Finnish Folk Style(2004)etno.net,Sibelius Academy:Author:Timo Alakotila
It is as easy to improvise in different folk dance tunes, such as the polska and waltz, as in jazz. The aim of this learning material is to help you to learn improvisation in folk music.
An interesting album of tango by way of Scandinavia. The genre of tango has enjoyed reasonable success in Finland now and then over the decades, led by figures such as Toivo Karki and Unto Mononen, European counterparts to Troilo and Piazzolla to some degree. There's a heavy dose of jazz informing the music (largely thanks to Karki's influence, who they play a few numbers from), and some hint of European (perhaps French) song as well. The tango is more jazz-driven in general than most other versions of it, and focuses on the harmonies somewhat more than, say, Piazzolla (who was more often interested in the sheer sonic possibilities and combinations within the melody). For tango in general, a newcomer should go straight to the origin with Gardel, Troilo, Piazzolla, etc. If you are already acquainted with the genre, however, this album of Finns would make a worthwhile addition to your collection. ~ Adam Greenberg
Pirjo Aittomäki, voc, Timo Alakotila, piano,arrangements; Petri Hakala,guitar; Mauno Järvelä, violin; Maria Kalaniemi, accordion; Hannu Rantanen, bass.
Ambra cd(2001) Maria Kalaniemi and Timo Alakotila (AMCD 749)
"On this album Maria Kalaniemi duets with pianist Timo Alakotila, with whom she has worked and played for more than a decade, particularly in a contemporary music group called Aldargaz. It's a delightful match, as the two take turns as soloist and accompanist. The tunes range from traditional polskas and marches, to minuets and polkas, some tango-influenced excursions, and some unadulterated bal musette. Mostly cover tunes or arrangements of traditional pieces, Ambra also has several originals by one or the other, or both of the artists". Gary Whitehouse
Sininen Huvimaja / Indifference / Lappfjärd / Oradea / Ambra / Kangaspelto / Kuujärvi / Soir de Paris / Haudanmaa / On yö ja tähdet taivahalla...
May Monday cd(2001)Karen Tweed and Timo Alakotila(FYCD003)
"A collection of mostly new compositions in the Irish and Swedish folk traditions. The pieces are centered around Karen Tweed's piano accordian and Timo Alakotila's classically-influenced piano playing, but around half of the tracks also feature a chamber group made up of a second accordian, guitar, flugelhorn and strings. The accordian playing is intricate but relaxed, the seamless long melodic lines superb. Although it's using a different musical tradition, the approach reminds me of Gideon Kramer's chamber renditions of Piazzolla's tangos on Hommage a Piazzolla. Highly recommended, even for those (like me) not normally attracted to folk music".
T for Three is a new band playing dance music from 1950-1960.
1. Kylmä rakkaus - 5:15, 2. Kadotetulle - 2:38 , 
Two pianos and two very different artists have greated illusions of a soloists playing alone and a full orchestra within the same album".
Contradans cd(2010) Nordik Tree (NDTCD 010)
Tämmäysopas(Kansanmusiikki-Instituutti) book was published in Kaustinen, Finland in 2010, (instructional book to learn to play harmonium in folk music) from Timo Alakotila and Timo Valo.
Luna cd(2009)Luna Nova(LUNACD 100)
Timo Alakotila cd (2009) :Concerto for Freebass Accordion and Chamber Orchestra, 
Cranes of Spring(2009) transcriptions for Maria Kalaniemi's doctor examin (Sibelius Academy)
Midnight cd(2008) May Monday: Karen Tweed and Timo Alakotila(MMA 6327001)
Texicalli Records released Timo Alakotila’s and Johanna Juhola’s first joint album Vapaassa Tilassa (In a free space) on 19 September 2007. The album includes the duo’s compositions that lean towards folk music. The ethos behind the Vapaassa Tilassa album was to use an improvisation style familiar to jazz music in traditional folk music. The album also involves a bevy of distinguished guest musicians: Aili Ikonen (vocals), Pekka Kuusisto (violin), Jouni Järvelä (soprano saxophone) Petri Hakala (mandolin) and Roger Tallroth (guitar). Thanks to the various backgrounds of the guest musicians, the folk-improvisation takes-off in many directions.
Troka have been praised for their ability to bring a contemporary feel to folk music. Their sound is influenced by both the classical string quartet and traditional ensemble techniques.
JPP-Album( Arto Järvelä's compositions)
Nordik Tree(2006)Nordik Tree( NDTCD006)
Tokyo Concert(2004)Maria Kalaniemi Trio(AMCD754)
Kyllä Tukkipoika Tunnetaan(2004)solist Jorma Hynninen,arrangements Timo Alakotila (Uitto 2004)
Finnish Tango cd(2003)Tango Orchestra Unto
Ambra cd(2001) Maria Kalaniemi and Timo Alakotila (AMCD 749)
May Monday cd(2001)Karen Tweed and Timo Alakotila(FYCD003)
