Born:
December 8, 1865
Birthplace:
Hämeenlinna, a small town in Helsinki
Died:
September 20,1957 in Ainola
Also Known As:
His full name is Johan (Jean) Julius Christian Sibelius, he was a Finnish composer, conductor and teacher. He married Aino Järnefelt and they had 6 children.
Type of Compositions:
Sibelius composed
symphonies, orchestral pieces,
chamber,
choral and incidental music, an
opera and piano pieces.
Influence:
Sibelius started out by playing the piano when he was 5. In 1880 he started to receive violin lessons, the instrument which he would formally concentrate on. Initially Sibelius studied law but he soon realized that his passion was in music and he enrolled at the Helsinki Music Institute, now known as Sibelius Academy, where he studied the violin under Mitrofan Wasileff. It is there where he met the composer
Ferruccio Busoni. He also went to Berlin, studying under Albert Becker, and Vienna to further his studies.
Notable Works:
Among his works are "String Quartet in A minor", "Kullervo", "En Saga", "Lemminkäinen suite", "Aténarnes sång", "Concerto for Violin", "Finlandia", "Valse Triste", "String Quartet in D minor", seven symphonies, he composed music for the play "The Tempest" (Shakespeare) and a tone poem titled "Tapiola".
Interesting Facts:
Sibelius set to music many poems written by J.L. Runeberg. He has an honorary doctorate from Yale University. During Sibelius' 50th birthday, a concert was held in his honor during which he conducted several of his works. On his 70th birthday a grander celebration was held in his honor. In attendance where several notable personalities, including former presidents.
Other Interesting Facts:
Both his siblings were likewise musically talented, Linda, his sister, played the piano and Christian, his younger brother, played the cello. The siblings would perform together, even playing some of Jean Sibelius' early compositions.
Music Sample:
Listen to Jean Sibelius'
"Finlandia".
