Finnish Composer. His "Kullervo Symphony," completed in 1892, started the period when much Finnish music was based on the legends of the national epic, "The Kalevala." As a composer, Sibelius gradually turned to more international themes and greater internalisation. The core of his musical output, which was diverse and stylistically original, were his orchestral works, notably his seven symphonies written between 1899 and 1924, and symphonic poems such as the four-part "Lemminkäinen" series, "Pohjola's Daughter" and "Tapiola." His violin concerto of 1904 is one of the most demanding and one of the most popular of its genre. The pearl of his small output of chamber music is the profound "Voces Intimae," written for string quartet in 1909. His symphonic poem, "Finlandia," completed in 1899, became a symbol of Finland's bid for independence. Other national treasures left by the great composer include the music Sibelius based on well known works of the theatre, such as "King Kristian II," "Death," "Pelleas and Melisande" and "The Tempest," as well as his numerous works for the piano and violin, his musical settings of poetry, his choral works and songs. After Sibelius' death, the house where he was born, in the southern Finnish town of Hämeenlinna, became a museum as did his former home, named "Ainola," in the town of Järvenpää.

Finnish Composer. His "Kullervo Symphony," completed in 1892, started the period when much Finnish music was based on the legends of the national epic, "The Kalevala." As a composer, Sibelius gradually turned to more international themes and greater internalisation. The core of his musical output, which was diverse and stylistically original, were his orchestral works, notably his seven symphonies written between 1899 and 1924, and symphonic poems such as the four-part "Lemminkäinen" series, "Pohjola's Daughter" and "Tapiola." His violin concerto of 1904 is one of the most demanding and one of the most popular of its genre. The pearl of his small output of chamber music is the profound "Voces Intimae," written for string quartet in 1909. His symphonic poem, "Finlandia," completed in 1899, became a symbol of Finland's bid for independence. Other national treasures left by the great composer include the music Sibelius based on well known works of the theatre, such as "King Kristian II," "Death," "Pelleas and Melisande" and "The Tempest," as well as his numerous works for the piano and violin, his musical settings of poetry, his choral works and songs. After Sibelius' death, the house where he was born, in the southern Finnish town of Hämeenlinna, became a museum as did his former home, named "Ainola," in the town of Järvenpää.