In 2015, at the 150th anniversary of Jean Sibelius’ birth, research about his music and personality is more active than ever. Recent discoveries about the musical, literary, artistic, political, and social life around him have decisively widened the scope of scholarly discussion. As part of the anniversary celebrations, a great number of Sibelius scholars gathered in Hämeenlinna, his birth town, for a conference leading up to his birthday on December 8. This volume draws upon the most current achievements of Sibelius research. It brings together the diverse – and sometimes even divergent – viewpoints that emerged from this international meeting. These studies cover all of the genres in Sibelius’ production: orchestral works, incidental music, piano and chamber music, and songs, including both well-known works and rarities, and even some fresh discoveries. The chapters in this book are also a welcome reminder of the manifold sources of inspiration: the music of his contemporaries, nature, literature, and visual art. The versatility of Sibelius’ output, and the richness of his creative imagination are presented here to any reader interested to learn more about the music of the Finnish master.

An analysis of the composer’s unconventional teaching style and philosophy, his relationship with his students, and his effect on twentieth century music. Many students of renowned composer, conductor, and teacher Ferruccio Busoni had illustrious careers of their own, yet the extent to which their mentor’s influence helped shape their success was largely unexplored until now. Through rich archival research including correspondence, essays, and scores, Erinn E. Knyt presents an evocative account of Busoni’s idiosyncratic pedagogy—focused on aesthetic ideals rather than methodologies or techniques—and how this teaching style and philosophy can be seen and heard in the Nordic-inspired musical works of Sibelius, the unusual soundscapes of Varèse, the polystylistic meldings of music and technology in Louis Gruenberg’s radio operas and film scores, the electronic music of Otto Luening, and the experimentalism of Philip Jarnach. Equal parts critical biography and interpretive analysis, Knyt’s work compels a reconsideration of Busoni’s legacy and puts forth the notion of a “Busoni School” as one that shaped the trajectory of twentieth-century music. “Erinn Knyt’s Ferruccio Busoni and His Legacy is a most welcome addition to the literature on Busoni as a fine example of research based on primary sources.” —Bach

A landmark in Sibelius scholarship, this is the first book that presents all of Sibelius's solo art songs in their musical and aesthetic context. Indispensable for scholars and performers alike. This is the first book to discuss the complete solo art songs of Jean Sibelius and to locate them in their musical, literary and artistic context. The book is organized around the poets Sibelius set to music and the literary themes associated with them, thus providing invaluable information for the scholar, student and performer. The musical and aesthetic contextualisation of the songs will help to enable new interpretations on the performance stage.

Jean Sibelius's Violin Concerto is the story of Sibelius as performer and composer, of violin performing traditions, of histories of musical transmission, and of virtuosity itself. It investigates the history and legacy of one of the most recorded concertos in the violin repertoire. Sibelius, a celebrated and influential composer of the late 19th and 20th centuries, was an accomplished violinist, whose enduring interest in the instrument has been paralleled by the broad success of the only concerto in his oeuvre: his violin concerto (premiered in 1904 and revised in 1905). Considering how violinists engage with the work, author Tina K. Ramnarine discusses technology's central role in the concerto's transmission from Jascha Heifetz's seminal 1935 recording to contemporary online performances, gender issues in violin solo careers, and nature-based musical aesthetics that lead to thinking about the ecology of virtuosity in an era of environmental crisis. Beginning with Sibelius's early training as a violinist and his aspirations as a performer, Ramnarine traces the dramatic historical context of the violin concerto. It was composed as Finland underwent a period of heightened self-determination, nationalism, and protest against Russian imperial policies, and it heralded intense political dynamics relating to Europe's East-West border that have extended to the present. This story of the violin concerto points to the notion of Sibelius - and the virtuoso more generally - as a political figure.

An illuminating investigation into the interdisciplinary impact of the beloved modern classical composer. Few composers have enjoyed such critical acclaim—or longevity—as Jean Sibelius, who died in 1957 aged ninety-one. Always more than simply a Finnish national figure, an “apparition from the woods” as he ironically described himself, Sibelius’s 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 it also offers a fresh and provocative interpretation for those more familiar with his music.

Classical Composers: Lives and Legacies is an expansive journey through the lives and works of the most influential figures in classical music history. From the Baroque masters like Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel, through the revolutionary works of Ludwig van Beethoven and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, to the modern innovations of Philip Glass and Arvo Pärt, this book delves into the fascinating stories and enduring legacies of these musical giants. Each chapter offers insights into different eras and styles, examining the social, cultural, and technological contexts that shaped their compositions. Perfect for both classical music enthusiasts and those new to the genre, this book provides a comprehensive and engaging overview of the art form that has profoundly influenced our world.

Get ready to take a thrilling journey through the lives of some of the most fascinating people in the world! "Famous People Around The World" is an engrossing read that provides an in-depth look at the lives of various famous personalities, from artists and scientists to musicians and politicians. This book covers all aspects of these people's lives, starting from their early years, upbringing, education, and pivotal experiences that shaped their lives. It explores their fascinating careers, achievements, turning points, and contributions to their respective fields. But that's not all - this book delves deeper into the personal lives of these famous individuals, including their relationships, marriages, hobbies, interests, and even any scandals or controversies they may have been involved in. Moreover, this book also examines the legacies of these influential figures and how they have impacted their industry or society as a whole. You will be amazed at the lasting contributions that these people have made and the ways they are remembered even to this day. As you read through the pages, you will discover the unique qualities and quirks that make these people stand out. You will learn about their personalities, sense of humor, and interesting habits or rituals. But that's not all! The book also includes a few exciting stories about these famous personalities that you probably have never heard before. And to test your knowledge, we have included 10 True or False questions at the end of each chapter that will keep you engaged and curious until the very end. So, whether you are a history buff or just looking for an engaging and educational read, "Famous People Around The World" is the perfect book for you. Get your copy now and embark on a journey through the fascinating lives of some of the most influential people in history!

First Published in 1998. This book is a comprehensive annotated bibliography of writings about the life, times, and music of Jean Sibelius (1865-1957). Over 1,000 sources in 11 different languages are represented, from the earliest writings, which appeared in the 1890s, to studies published through 1994. Historical information and background are supplied together with an indication of the reliability of each source. Translations of studies into English, German, and French are noted, particularly important in a field where so many items are in Finnish and Swedish. Introductory essays to each section discuss Sibelius in different contexts: for example, vis--vis his contemporaries in Scandinavia, in relation to folk music, in reception history, and in the scholarly literature. Individual musical compositions have their own sections with bibliography. Comprehensive indexes cover the musical works, authors, and people and subjects mentioned.

New perspectives on the greatest Finnish composer of all time Perhaps no twentieth-century composer has provoked a more varied reaction among the music-loving public than Jean Sibelius (1865–1957). Originally hailed as a new Beethoven by much of the Anglo-Saxon world, he was also widely disparaged by critics more receptive to newer trends in music. At the height of his popular appeal, he was revered as the embodiment of Finnish nationalism and the apostle of a new musical naturalism. Yet he seemingly chose that moment to stop composing altogether, despite living for three more decades. Providing wide cultural contexts, contesting received ideas about modernism, and interrogating notions of landscape and nature, Jean Sibelius and His World sheds new light on the critical position occupied by Sibelius in the Western musical tradition. The essays in the book explore such varied themes as the impact of Russian musical traditions on Sibelius, his compositional process, Sibelius and the theater, his understanding of music as a fluid and improvised creation, his critical reception in Great Britain and America, his "late style" in the incidental music for The Tempest, and the parallel contemporary careers of Sibelius and Richard Strauss. Documents include the draft of Sibelius's 1896 lecture on folk music, selections from a roman à clef about his student circle in Berlin at the turn of the century, Theodor Adorno's brief but controversial tirade against the composer, and the newspaper debates about the Sibelius monument unveiled in Helsinki a decade after the composer's death. The contributors are Byron Adams, Leon Botstein, Philip Ross Bullock, Glenda Dawn Goss, Daniel Grimley, Jeffrey Kallberg, Tomi Mäkelä, Sarah Menin, Max Paddison, and Timo Virtanen.

Winner of the 2007 National Book Critics Circle Award for Criticism A New York Times Book Review Top Ten Book of the Year Time magazine Top Ten Nonfiction Book of 2007 Newsweek Favorite Books of 2007 A Washington Post Book World Best Book of 2007 In this sweeping and dramatic narrative, Alex Ross, music critic for The New Yorker, weaves together the histories of the twentieth century and its music, from Vienna before the First World War to Paris in the twenties; from Hitler's Germany and Stalin's Russia to downtown New York in the sixties and seventies up to the present. Taking readers into the labyrinth of modern style, Ross draws revelatory connections between the century's most influential composers and the wider culture. The Rest Is Noise is an astonishing history of the twentieth century as told through its music.