Barbirolli conducts Sibelius’s First (1966)
This is a short review from about 1999 that I’m republishing as I revive and freshen up my original Inktroduction to Sibelius’s First Symphony. Originally available as a single CD with the Third...
View ArticleLost King of Finland
On September 20, 1957 – only 53 years ago, Jean Sibelius passed away. Sir Malcolm Sargent, who was in Finland to conduct the Fifth Symphony, said, “Finland has lost its king, and there is no...
View ArticleThe sounds we’re not meant to hear: is this Sibelius’ 8th?
News is emerging in the English language world of music that significant parts of Sibelius’ Eighth Symphony may have been truly found. Not only that, but they’ve been played and recorded. My friend KH...
View ArticleStravinsky and Sibelius: cold water, cocktails and respect
100 years ago on 29 May, 1913, Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring collided with Paris concert-goers, its (in)famous audacious arrival greeted with shock. They were two titans of the music world, but Sibelius...
View ArticleThose few minutes on the porch: Sibelius and Eugene Ormandy
“Meeting Sibelius for the first time, I had the impression of being in the presence of someone almost superhuman. Here was a being I had admired and looked up to all my life — and suddenly I was in...
View ArticleHuge Google archive of Sibelius newspaper articles
“PICTURES make the great Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius, appear still as a powerful, sturdy man. The bald shiny head is ivory white. His aquiline features are drawn and purposeful. The clear eyes...
View ArticleFantasia and the Swan of Tuonela
What has Jean Sibelius got to do with Walt Disney? It seems in December 1940, Disney approached Sibelius to propose featuring The Swan of Tuonela in the famous animated film Fantasia. Although by that...
View ArticleHAPPY 150TH BIRTHDAY, JEAN SIBELIUS!
And incredibly, the day has come! 150 years and stronger than ever – Happy 150th Birthday, Jean Sibelius! Thank you to the variety of people who made this possible, including friends and Sibelius...
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