Jean Sibelius

Jean Sibelius (Swedish: Jean Sibelius, December 8, 1865 - September 20, 1957); formerly known as Johan Julius Christian Sibelius (Swedish: Johan Julius Christian Sibelius), was a Finnish composer active in the late Romantic and early modernist periods. He is widely regarded as Finland's greatest composer, and his music is often credited with helping Finland develop a stronger national identity in the late 19th century, when the country suffered multiple attempts at Russification. The core of his work are seven symphonies, which, like his other major works, are regularly performed and recorded in Finland and around the world. His other best-known works include the Finnish Ode, the Karelian Suite, the Waltze Sorrow, the Violin Concerto, the choral symphony Kullervo and the Swans of Tuonela (from the Ramminkainen Suite). His other works include works inspired by nature, Norse mythology and the Finnish national epic Kalevala; more than 100 songs for voice and piano; scores for several plays; the one-act opera "The Tower Girl"; chamber music, piano music, Masonic ritual music, and 21 choral works. Sibelius composed prolifically until the mid-1920s, but after completing the Seventh Symphony (1924), the score "The Tempest" (1926), and the symphonic poem "Tapiola" (1926), he stopped composing major works for the last 30 years - a retreat often referred to as the "Silence of Järvenpe" (where his home was located). Although he is thought to have ceased composing, he made attempts to continue writing, including an unfinished attempt at the Eighth Symphony. In later years he composed Masonic music and re-edited some of his earlier works, while maintaining an active but not always approving interest in new developments in music. Although this "silence" often confuses scholars, in fact Sibelius was clear: he felt he had created enough. His portrait appeared on Finland's 100-mark banknote until the adoption of the euro in 2002. Since 2011, Finland celebrates Flag Day on December 8 (the composer's birthday), which is also known as Finnish Music Day. In 2015, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Sibelius's birth, a series of special concerts and events were held in Finland, especially in the capital Helsinki.