Jean Sibelius, composer

Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, née Johan Julius Christian Sibelius, was born on December 8th, 1865 in Hämeenlinna (Swedish: Tavastehus) in the Grand Duchy of Finland, an autonomous part of the Russian Empire. He was the son of the Swedish-speaking medical doctor Christian Gustaf Sibelius and Maria Charlotta Sibelius (née Borg).

His father passed away when Sibelius was young so his family moved into the home of his maternal grandmother. Sibelius’ uncle, Pehr Ferdinand Sibelius, who was interested in music, gave the boy a violin when he was ten years old and later encouraged him to maintain his interest in composition.

Sibelius spent many of his childhood summers wandering around the countryside. His strong love of nature shines through in many of his compositions. His family moved to Loviisa on the coast for the summer months. In his own words: “For me, Loviisa represented sun and happiness. Hämeenlinna was where I went to school; Loviisa was freedom.”

After graduating from high school in 1885, Sibelius began to study law at the Imperial Alexander University in Finland but, showing far more interest in music, soon moved to the Helsinki Music Institute (now the Sibelius Academy) where he studied from 1885 to 1889.

Initially, Sibelius wanted to be a violinist,

My tragedy was that I wanted to be a celebrated violinist at any price. Since the age of 15 I played my violin practically from morning to night. I hated pen and ink—unfortunately I preferred an elegant violin bow. My love for the violin lasted quite long and it was a very painful awakening when I had to admit that I had begun my training for the exacting career of a virtuoso too late.

He came to realize that his strengths lay in composition. One of his teachers, Martin Wegelius, gave the self-taught Sibelius his first formal lessons in composition. Sibelius continued his studies in Berlin (from 1889 to 1890) with Albert Becker, and in Vienna (from 1890 to 1891) with Robert Fuchs and the Hungarian-Jewish Karl Goldmark. In Berlin, he had the opportunity to widen his musical experience by going to a variety of concerts and operas, including the premiere of Richard Strauss’s Don Juan.

While Sibelius was studying music in Helsinki in the autumn of 1888, Armas Järnefelt, a friend from the Music Institute, invited him to the family home. There he met and immediately fell in love with Aino, the 17-year-old daughter of General Alexander Järnefelt, the governor of Vaasa, and Elisabeth Clodt von Jürgensburg, a Baltic aristocrat.

When Sibelius completed his studies, he married Aisno in June 1892 at Maxmo. They spent their honeymoon in Karelia, the home of the Kalevala. It served as an inspiration for Sibelius’s tone poem En saga, the Lemminkäinen legends and the Karelia Suite.  Their home, Ainola, was completed on Lake Tuusula, Järvenpää, in 1903. During the years at Ainola, they had six daughters: Eva, Ruth, Kirsti (who died aged one from typhoid), Katarina, Margareta and Heidi.

He began premiering his orchestral works in 1892 with Kullervo. It was described by Juho Ranta who sang in the choir as, “Finnish music.” Thus began a long career of creating works that encapsulated Finnish music.

On the evening of 20 September 1957, Sibelius died of a brain haemorrhage at the age of 91. At the time of his death, his Fifth Symphony, conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent, was being broadcast by radio from Helsinki. At the same time, the United Nations General Assembly was in session, and the then President of the Assembly, Sir Leslie Munro of New Zealand, called for a moment of silence and delivered a eulogy: “Sibelius belonged to the whole world. He enriched the life of the entire human race with his music”. Sibelius was honoured with a state funeral and is buried in the garden at Ainola.

Sibelius’ First Symphony

Jean Sibelius’s Symphony No. 1 in E minor, Op. 39, is a landmark work in the history of classical music and a testament to the composer’s skill and artistic vision. Composed between 1895 and 1899, the symphony is a masterpiece of Romantic orchestral music and is widely regarded as one of Sibelius’s greatest works.

The first movement of the symphony is marked by its sweeping melodies and dramatic contrasts, with the orchestral sections alternating between lush and powerful moments and more introspective and lyrical passages. The second movement is a scherzo, characterized by its playful and energetic rhythm, with the strings and woodwinds weaving intricate patterns over a driving rhythm in the percussion section.

The third movement is a slow and contemplative adagio, characterized by its beautiful and expressive melodies. Sibelius creates a sense of stillness and introspection with delicate, sustained strings, and soft, atmospheric woodwinds. The movement builds to a climax before resolving in a peaceful and serene coda.

The final movement is a triumphant and celebratory allegro, with the full orchestra building to a rousing conclusion. Sibelius creates a sense of excitement and energy with driving rhythms and powerful brass and percussion, culminating in a triumphant and joyful finish that leaves a lasting impression on the listener.

Throughout the symphony, Sibelius demonstrates his mastery of orchestration, creating a rich and vibrant sound that is uniquely his own. He also draws on the musical traditions of his native Finland, incorporating folk melodies and rhythms into his music to create a distinctive and personal style.

Sibelius’s Symphony No. 1 is a landmark work that continues to be widely performed and recorded to this day. Its sweeping melodies, dynamic contrasts, and emotional depth make it one of the greatest symphonies of the Romantic era, and a testament to Sibelius’s skill as a composer and his contribution to music. Whether you are a seasoned classical music aficionado or a newcomer to the genre, this symphony is sure to leave a lasting impression and is highly recommended for anyone looking to deepen their appreciation of music.

 

*image at the top of the page an internal photograph of the Sibelius Wind Pipe Organ

Join us at the Hub

The concert ends, you exit TCU Place, and you’re still brimming with excitement after such a fabulous evening. Where to next?

Cross the street and join us over at the Hub at Holiday Inn!

It’s the perfect place to grab a post-concert drink, and snack, alongside fellow SSO patrons, musicians, and the feature guest artists.

We have complimentary appetizers on a first come first-serve basis!

 

What’s happening at the Bassment

The Bassment is one of Canada’s premier jazz clubs and provides musicians of all skill levels a venue to showcase their talents in front of a live audience while accessing a variety of professional, concert-grade instruments. The club offers an intimate, personal concert space with a world-class stage for local, national, and international artists.

Here’s a sample of what’s happening next at The Bassment

Stephen Fearing
March 22, 2023

 

SONGWRITER SERIES • DOORS @ 6:30PM • SHOW @ 7:30PM

www.stephenfearing.ca

Stephen Fearing’s music is a mesmerizing blend of roots, folk, and pop. Co-founder of Canadian roots-rock supergroup Blackie and The Rodeo Kings, he is a beguiling teller of tales and a master guitarist who has delighted audiences throughout North America, the UK, and Europe. A multi-JUNO and Canadian Folk Music award winner, Stephen has collaborated with Bruce Cockburn, Rosanne Cash, Richard Thompson, Sarah McLachlan, Margo Timmins, Keb’ Mo’, and Suzie Vinnick.

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The Slocan Ramblers
March 27, 2023

BLUEGRASS SERIES • DOORS @ 6:30PM • RUSH SEATING

www.slocanramblers.com

The reigning champions of Canadian bluegrass, the Slocan Ramblers are back showcasing their unique blend of bluegrass, old-time, and folk. The band’s set list is marked by thoughtful songwriting, lightning fast-instrumentals, and sawdust-thick vocals.

This show will feature the Ramblers at the top of their game playing selections from their three previous releases and their latest album, Up the Hill and Through the Fog. Say hello to your new favourite band!

Sponsored by Northern Lights Bluegrass & Old Tyme Music Society

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Erin Propp and Larry Roy
April 1, 2023

JAZZ SINGER SERIES • DOORS @ 6:30PM • SHOW @ 7:30PM

www.erinpropp.com

https://erinpropplarryroy.bandcamp.com/album/we-want-all-the-same-things

Erin Propp (vocals) and Larry Roy (guitar) reach into the everyday and blur the edges, creating works that are deeply personal and achingly relatable. Erin and Larry’s musical abilities are tools of exacting expression, expertly honed. Their debut stunner, Courage, My Love, won Best Jazz Album of the Year at the 2013 Western Canadian Music Awards and a 2014 JUNO nomination for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. Touring in support of their latest recording, We Want All The Same Things, Erin and Larry will be joined by Mark DeJong (sax) and Kodi Hutchinson (bass).

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Florian Hoefner Trio
April 22, 2023

PIANO SERIES • DOORS @ 6:30PM • SHOW @ 7:30PM

https://florian-hoefner.com

Born and raised in Germany, trained in New York, and now based in St. John’s, JUNO-nominated jazz pianist and composer Florian Hoefner draws from a myriad of influences that cumulate in his unique brand of modern jazz. His Canadian trio featuring Andrew Downing (bass) and Nick Fraser (drums) released its initial album, First Spring, in 2019. Featuring Florian’s arrangements of folk tunes from around the world, the album won Instrumental Recording of the Year and Jazz Recording of the Year at the 2020 East Coast Music Awards. The trio is touring Canada to promote its second release, Desert Bloom.

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Don Vappie & Jazz Créole
May 13, 2023

JAZZ TRAVELLERS SERIES • DOORS @ 6:30PM • SHOW @ 7:30PM • RUSH SEATING

www.stevedawson.ca

An award-winning Créole banjoist/vocalist, Don Vappie is the living embodiment of 300 years of the melting pot that is New Orleans music. Best known as the banjoist in Wynton Marsalis’s Jazz and the Lincoln Centre Orchestra, Don is also recognized for his nurturing approach to Créole culture and its preservation. Widely considered one of the best banjoists in the history of New Orleans, he’s kept alive the tradition of his predecessor Danny Barker and has been honoured with awards from Créole society for preserving this cultural treasure.

Jazz Créole combines all genres of New Orleans music, from traditional to modern-day funk, with the classic tradition of a string band. The group features three musicians from the UK band the Dime Notes: David Horniblow (clarinet), Dave Kelbie (guitar), and Tom Wheatley (bass). Don Vappie has received numerous acclamations from other musicians, including one from Iggy Pop: “He can start the party with his banjo. He sure can!”

Sponsored by David’s Distinctive Men’s Apparel

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