Jean Sibelius

Few composers have enjoyed such critical acclaim or longevity as Jean Sibelius, who died in 1957 aged 91. Always more than simply a Finnish national figure, an apparition from the woods as he ironically described himself, Sibeliuss life spanned turbulent and tumultuous events, and his work is central to the story of late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century music. This book situates Sibelius within a rich interdisciplinary environment, paying attention to his relationship with architecture, literature, politics and the visual arts. Drawing on the latest developments in Sibelius research, it is intended as an accessible and rewarding introduction for the general reader, and also offers a fresh and provocative interpretation for those more familiar with his music.