Johan Julius Christian Sibelius

Johan Julius Christian Sibelius

Johan Julius Christian Sibelius (or Jean Sibelius) was a composer whose family dates back to 17th Century Finland. He was born in Hameelinna on December 8, 1865. He began his childhood piano studies at the age of 9. He also took lessons in violin, which he was soon playing in chamber music performances. He enrolled at a University in Helsinki in 1885. He intended to study law, but dropped out after only a semester of study. He registered instead at the Conservatory, where he practiced violin and composition. A string quartet that he wrote at the conservatory earned him a grant from the government which allowed him to travel for further study in Germany. He went to Berlin, where he Alan Becker gave him lessons in counterpoint and fugue. He also traveled to Vienna for further education. Sibelius married Aino Jarnefelt in 1892, and began teaching composition at the Helsinki Conservatory. In 1897, he was granted an 3,000 marks annuity by the Finnish Senate. He quit his job at the conservatory in 1900. In that year he also revealed his most patriotic work: Finlandia. The piece became so identified with the Finnish nationalist movement that its performance was barred by the Czarist government. He settled in Jarvenpaa in 1904. He traveled in 1914 to America where he received an honorary degree from Yale University. Just before World War I, Sibelius arrived back in Finland. He was only seen once again in public performance on March 24, 1924, when he conducted his 7th Symphony. He continued to write in seclusion until 1927, but ceased at that point. Although he was willing to give interviews to interested journalists, he wouldn't answer questions about his music. However, it was his music that brought him his fame and fortune. The Finnish government issued a Sibelius postage stamp, and numerous annual musical festivals were held in his name. Despite all the attention showered upon him, Sibelius preferred his privacy. He lived secluded at his home in Jarvenpaa until September 20, 1957, when he died at the age of 91. Sibelius' music was the last of the 19th Century's Romanticism. Although he was quite willing to listen to the contributions of the newer, more modern composers, he kept his style traditional, as he was taught by his German mentors. However, his music was spoke powerfully of Finland and its folk culture. It is at once somber, tragic, and powerful.