Jean Sibelius was a Finnish composer and teacher. From 1891 he taught composition and violin at the Helsinki Conservatory. He was the founder of the Finnish romantic style (with his symphony “Kulervo” for soloists, chorus and orchestra, 1892, based on images from the Karelian and Finnish epos “Kalevala”). He was the head of the Finnish school of composition, having naturally implemented Finnish musical folklore into his compositions. His musical works include the pantomime ballet “Scaramouche” (1922), seven symphonies (1899-1924), symphonic poems, a concerto for violin and orchestra, a string quartet, pieces for violin and orchestra (over 50), piano pieces (about 130) and around 100 songs. Among his most famous compositions is “The Swan of Tuonela” (based on a plot from the “Kalevala”) from the “Lemminkäinen Suite” for orchestra (Four legends, 1893-1896) and “Valse Triste” from incidental music to Arvid Järnefelt’s play “Kuolema” (“Death”).
