Biography and Chief Works of  Jean Sibelius

1865.

Born in Finland, son of a doctor.  Started to learn the piano at 9, and the violin at 15.

1884.

Entered Helsingfors (now Helsinki) University to study law, but allowed to have music lessons at the Conservatoire as well.  

1885.

Decided to become a composer.

1889.

Won a Finnish state scholarship to Berlin, and later went on to Vienna, where he studied with disciples of Brahms.  

1893.

Returned to Finland, where he taught violin and composition at Heisingfors Conservatoire, and began to compose works based on Finnish legends, of which 'En Saga' and 'The Swan of Tuonela' are now the best known.  

1897.

Given a life grant by state, and thus enabled to devote himself entirely to composition.  

1899.

The tone poem 'Finlandia' aroused such patriotic demonstrations that it was banned by the Russian government which then ruled Finland.

1905.

Conducted his second symphony in Berlin. 1912.  Conducted his fourth symphony in Birmingham.  

1914.

Visited the U.S.A. and taught for a time in Boston.  Given an honorary degree at Yale.

1918.

Fighting in Finland, as the result of the Russian revolution, made him a temporary prisoner, but he continued to compose.  

1921.

Conducted fifth symphony in London. But still not recognized as a great composer outside Finland, and spent most of his time living quietly in his Finnish home with his wife and daughters.  His music was not revolutionary enough to attract attention, as did that of Debussy or Stravinsky, and its bleak severity prevented easy understanding and appreciation.

1923.

Sixth symphony, followed by seventh a year later.

1925.

Symphonic poem, ‘Tapiola'.  Creative activity began to wane; but his works were now achieving recognition in England and America, and, as time went on, in other countries too.  Continued to live quietly.  

1957.

Died in Finland.  

The first great Finnish composer, very conscious of his national heritage, and much revered in Finland.  Great love of nature, particularly as it is seen in the cold, vast stretches of Finland.

Famous chiefly for his symphonies and his Finnish national tone poems.  

Seven symphonies, all important works, but very different from each other.  

Symphonic tone poems and suites based on Finnish legends, such as 'En Saga'; 'Karelia'; 'The Swan of Tuonela'; 'Finlandia'; and 'Tapiola'.

Violin concerto and a few other slighter works for violin and orchestra, or violin and piano.

Incidental music, choral works, a string quartet, piano pieces and songs.