Great
Classical Music
Composers

Jean SIBELIUS

8 December 1865-20 September 1957 (age 91)

Portrait by Paul Helm ©
click on image for more info

Jean Sibelius was a Finnish composer. He composed seven symphonies and other works but is best known for his composition 'Finlandia'.

Family

Born: 8 December 1865, Hämeenlinna, Finland
Father: Christian Gustaf Sibelius, a doctor, died when Jean was an infant
Mother: Maria Charlotta Sibelius
Siblings: Sister, Linda, pianist. Brother, Christian, cellist
Wife: Aino Järnefelt
Children: 6 daughters, one of which died at birth
Died: 20 September 1957, aged 91, brain hemorrhage
Grave: Under an apple tree at his home Ainola, Jarvenpaa, Finland

Ainola - his home

Ainola is the timber villa he built on the shore of Lake Tuusula in Järvenpää, about 30 minutes drive from Helsinki.
It is named after his wife Aino and was their family home from 1904.
He is buried there under an apple tree.
After the death of his widow his daughters sold the villa to the Finnish State which has made it into a museum.
Ainola website

Best known works

- 7 Symphonies
- Finlandia
- Karelia Suite
- The Swan of Tuonela
- Violin concerto
- chamber music
- piano music
- choral music
- Masonic ritual music

Quotes

"Pay no attention to what the critics say... Remember, a statue has never been set up in honor of a critic!"

"It is difficult to keep company with artists. You have to choose businessmen if you want to converse, because artists only talk about money."

Jean's social media

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On eBay now

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