Introduction

Sibelius grew to maturity at a time of fervent Finnish nationalism, as the country broke away from its earlier Swedish and later Russian overlords. Brought up in a Swedish-speaking family, Sibelius acquired a knowledge of Finnish language and traditional literature at school and the early Finnish sagas proved a strong influence on his subsequent work as a composer.

Historical Context

Jean Sibelius was the most renowned composer that Finland has ever produced. He was born on December 8th, 1865. As a child he showed promise as a violinist and a pianist. He initially enrolled at the University at Helsinki in law, but later decided that he truly loved music. The next year he enrolled and the Conservatory and began a trip around Europe, highlighted by Berlin and Vienna. During this trip he developed a liking for the life of high society. He took on many habits such as excessive drinking and gambling.

Upon his return to Finland he married Aino Jarnefelt. She was a memebr of the aristocratic family in Finland. Through her he would maintain his habits. Nonetheless she would say with him until his death. In 1894, he heard a Wagnerian opera. He was so impressed by its quality that he decided to never compose an opera in fear that it would not match Richard Wagner's abilities.

During the early 1900's, Sibleius became more known through the international domain. He traveled to England and United States, where he met Antonin Dvorák. He began composing his Second Symphony, which was more nationalist than any of his previous pieces had been. Another successful piece was his Violin Concerto, which was compsed in 1903.

Also during these years, his health grew weak, and he was forced to give up smoking and drinking. His compositions however flourished. During World War I, he composed his Fifth Symphony, one of his most famous. The audacity in the piece was memorable during the war-stricken times. He went on to compose two more symphonies and a few tone poems before he gave up composing for the last thirty years of his life. It is said that drinking and disappointment in modern music caused this. He died on September 20th, 1957.

His Famous Compositions

His notable pieces include Symphony no. 5, no. 7, an no. 2. Finlandia was also a very worthy piece. His extremely difficult Violin Concerto also ranks among his best. One of his few string quartets, String Quartet in D minor, op.56 "Voces intimae" has also become a havily played piece in the world of music.

• List of Chamber Works by Sibelius
• Other Modern Composers
• Classical Music Pages: Jean Sibelius
• Classical Net: Jean Sibelius

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