Jean Sibelius | |
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| Born | 8 December 1865 Hämeenlinna, Finland |
| Died | 20 September 1957 (aged 91) Järvenpää, Finland |
| Works | List of compositions |
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Jean Sibelius (forename in the French pronunciation: [ʒɑ̃] surname in the Finland Swedish: [siˈbeːliʉs] ; born Johan Julius Christian Sibelius;[1] 8 December 1865 – 20 September 1957) was a Finnish composer of the late Romantic and early modern periods. He is widely regarded as his country's greatest composer, and his music is often credited with having helped Finland develop a stronger national identity when the country was struggling from several attempts at Russification in the late 19th century.[2]
The core of his oeuvre is his set of seven symphonies, which, like his other major works, are regularly performed and recorded in Finland and countries around the world. His other best-known compositions are Finlandia, the Karelia Suite, Valse triste, the Violin Concerto, the choral symphony Kullervo, and The Swan of Tuonela (from the Lemminkäinen Suite). His other works include pieces inspired by nature, Nordic mythology, and the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala; over a hundred songs for voice and piano; incidental music for numerous plays; the one-act opera The Maiden in the Tower; chamber music, piano music, Masonic ritual music,[3] and 21 publications of choral music.
Sibelius composed prolifically until the mid-1920s, but after completing his Seventh Symphony (1924), the incidental music for The Tempest (1926), and the tone poem Tapiola (1926), he stopped producing major works in his last 30 years—a retirement commonly referred to as the "silence of Järvenpää" (the location of his home). Although he is reputed to have stopped composing, he attempted to continue writing, including abortive efforts on an eighth symphony. In later life, he wrote Masonic music and re-edited some earlier works, while retaining an active but not always favourable interest in new developments in music. Although this 'silence' has often perplexed scholars, in reality, Sibelius was clear: he felt he had written enough.
The Finnish 100 mark note featured his image until 2002, when the euro was adopted.[4] Since 2011, Finland has celebrated a flag flying day on 8 December, the composer's birthday, also known as the Day of Finnish Music.[5] In 2015, in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Sibelius's birth, a number of special concerts and events were held, especially in Helsinki, the Finnish capital.[6]
- ^ Tawaststjerna (1997, p. 15): only in the 1990s was it discovered that Sibelius's original first names (at christening) were Johan Christian Julius; he himself used the order Johan Julius Christian, and that is present in most sources.
- ^ "Sibelius, Jean (1865–1957)". kansallisbiografia.fi. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
In the First as well as in the Second Symphony (1902), some people have admittedly been quick to point out indications of the national independence struggle as well. During the period of oppressive russification, Sibelius and his music quite naturally became a symbol of national ferment. Sibelius had nothing against this, and in 1899 he composed both the Atenarnes sång ('Song of the Athenians') and the programme piece later christened Finlandia.
- ^ "Brother Sibelius". The Music of Freemasonry. Archived from the original on 20 June 2003. Retrieved 16 October 2011.
- ^ "100 markkaa 1986". Setelit.com. Archived from the original on 9 October 2015. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
- ^ "The days the Finnish flag is flown". Ministry of the Interior. Archived from the original on 11 November 2015.
- ^ "Join the Sibelius 150 Celebration in 2015". Visit Helsinki. Archived from the original on 31 May 2015. Retrieved 3 June 2015.