Music

Jean Sibelius

1865–1957 · Finnish

Late Romantic (nationalist)

Sibelius is Finland's national composer, whose music became a symbol of Finnish identity during the struggle for independence from Russia. Inspired by the Kalevala epic and the northern landscape, he wrote seven symphonies of increasing concentration, then fell almost silent for the last three decades of his life.

How to spot them

▸Brooding, elemental orchestral sound: dark strings, long pedal notes, slowly building brass climaxes
▸Themes that grow organically from small motifs; hymn-like tunes and wide open 'Nordic' textures
▸Clue patterns: the Kalevala, Ainola at Järvenpää, the 'silence of Järvenpää', Finnish independence

Key works — listen

Finlandia, Op. 26 (1899 (revised 1900))

Defiant patriotic tone poem; its hymn section is sung as 'Be Still, My Soul'

Karelia Suite, Op. 11 (1893)

Bright suite from music for a pageant; the Alla marcia is a concert favourite

Valse triste, Op. 44 No. 1 (1903–1904)

Haunting waltz from incidental music to Arvid Järnefelt's play Kuolema (Death)

Recording: Judith Bokor · Public domain, Wikimedia Commons

Violin Concerto in D minor, Op. 47 (1904 (revised 1905))

His only concerto; opens with the violin singing over muted, shimmering strings

Symphony No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 82 (1915 (revised 1919))

Finale's swinging horn 'swan hymn' was inspired by sixteen swans in flight

Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43 (1901–1902)

Heroic, much-loved symphony later read as a Finnish freedom anthem

Quick-fire facts

•He was born in Hämeenlinna, into a Swedish-speaking family.
•The Swan of Tuonela, for solo cor anglais and orchestra, is part of his Lemminkäinen Suite based on the Kalevala.
•His Symphony No. 5 was premiered on his 50th birthday, 8 December 1915, amid nationwide celebrations.
•From 1904 he lived at his villa Ainola at Järvenpää, where he and his wife Aino are buried.
•He published nothing major after Tapiola (1926), and burned the manuscript of an Eighth Symphony — the 'silence of Järvenpää'.
•His Symphony No. 7 in C major, Op. 105 (1924), is in a single movement.
•The hymn from Finlandia was later given words as the 'Finlandia Hymn' and serves as a Welsh and Christian hymn tune.

Drill it — 9 cards

1 / 9new card

Sources

Grove Music Online (Oxford Music Online) — Sibelius, Jean
Encyclopaedia Britannica — Jean Sibelius
Wikipedia — Jean Sibelius