Late RomanticJean Sibelius
Jean Sibelius was born in Finland, a country of forests and thousands of lakes.
Jean Sibelius’s life
The big moments of this life, and what was happening in the world at the same time.
A life at a glance
- 1865👶 Birth
Born in Hämeenlinna on 8 December
- 1868❤️ Private lifeage 3
Death of his father, a doctor
- 1875🌍 Meanwhile
The Palais Garnier opera house opens in Paris
- 1885📚 Trainingage 20
Starts law in Helsinki, then devotes himself to music
- 1889🧳 Journeyage 24
Studies in Berlin, then Vienna
- 1889🌍 Meanwhile
The Eiffel Tower opens for the World’s Fair
- 1892🎼 Workage 27
Kullervo, after the Finnish epic Kalevala; marries Aino Järnefelt
- 1896🎼 Workage 31
Lemminkäinen Suite, with The Swan of Tuonela
- 1899🎼 Workage 34
Finlandia, a symbol of resistance to Russia; Symphony No. 1
- 1917🏛️ Landmarkage 52
Finland becomes independent
- 1927🌍 Meanwhile
First talking picture (The Jazz Singer)
- 1948🌍 Meanwhile
The long-playing record (LP) goes on sale
- 1957🕯️ Deathage 92
Dies at Ainola on 20 September, aged 91
Listen to the music
Press the big button to listen. Close your eyes: how does it make you feel?
Jean Sibelius’s music is still recent: it belongs to its creators and their families. Ask a grown-up to play it for you on the radio or at a concert!
Once upon a time…
Jean Sibelius was born in Finland, a country of forests and thousands of lakes. As a child he spent his summers in nature and dreamed of becoming a great violinist.
In the end he became a composer. He loved old Finnish legends and set them to music. At that time Finland was ruled by Russia. His music Finlandia became a symbol of freedom for the whole Finnish people!
He lived in a wooden house in the middle of the forest. One day, watching sixteen swans fly away, he found the idea for the great melody of his Fifth Symphony.
For the last thirty years of his life he published nothing more. He lived to ninety-one!
Jean Sibelius’s instruments
Tap an instrument to hear it!
Cards to flip
Are you an expert on Jean Sibelius?
Answer the questions and win stars!
Same era · Late Romantic
1857 – 1934Late RomanticEdward Elgar
Edward Elgar was born in England.
1860 – 1911Late RomanticGustav Mahler
Gustav Mahler was born in Bohemia, today’s Czech Republic.
1864 – 1949Late RomanticRichard Strauss
Richard Strauss was born in Munich, Germany.
1867 – 1944Late RomanticAmy Beach
Amy Beach was born in the United States.
1872 – 1958Late RomanticRalph Vaughan Williams
Ralph Vaughan Williams was born in an English village.
1873 – 1943Late RomanticSergueï Rachmaninov
Sergei Rachmaninoff was born in Russia.