Jean Sibelius’s Contemporaries in Alphabetical Order

Achté, Emmy (née Strömmer) 1850-1924

Mezzo-soprano, star soloist of the premieres of Sibelius’s Kullervo and Maiden in the Tower operas. Prima donna of Finnish opera already in the 1870s, and at the Gothenburg Opera in 1878. Founded her own Finnish Opera Company in 1892 in Helsinki, and directed her own opera productions. Her husband Lorenz Nikolai Achté was a teacher and director of a cantor and organist school from 1900-1922, and she also held other educational positions. Her most famous pupils were her own daughters, Aino Ackté and Irma Tervani.

Ackté, Aino (originally Achté) 1876-1944

Soprano, one of Finland’s most successful singers. She studied under her mother Emmy Achté and continued her studies at the Paris Conservatory. Star of the Paris Opera from 1897-1904. She performed at the New York Metropolitan Opera from 1904-1906 with varying success. She made guest appearances at most major opera houses. Her career peaked with sensational performances of Salome at London’s Covent Garden in the early 1910s. She ended her international performances in 1913 due to vocal strain. Her last performance in Finland was in 1920. She helped found the Finnish Opera in 1911 and was the director of the Finnish Opera from 1938-1939. Founder of the Savonlinna Opera Festival, with performances from 1912-1916. She performed in Sibelius’s promotion cantata in 1894. Sibelius dedicated Luonnotar and, among others, Höstkväll to Ackté.

Aho (Brofeldt), Juhani 1861-1921

Writer. A friend and neighbor of Sibelius. He was part of Elisabeth Järnefelt’s “salon” and fell in love with Elisabeth, also unsuccessfully courting Aino Järnefelt. His spouse was the painter Venny Soldan-Brofeldt. He was one of the founding members of Päivälehti and a regular contributor to Helsingin Sanomat. Some of his most famous works include Rautatie (The Railroad), Papin tytär (The Parson’s Daughter), Hellmanin herra, Yksin (Alone), Lastuja (Chips), Panu, and Juha. He collaborated with Sibelius on the project Veljeni vierailla mailla (My Brother in Foreign Lands). Despite his promises, Sibelius did not compose Aho’s Juha novel into an opera based on Aino Ackté’s libretto.

Anderson, Marian 1902-1993

American alto. A legendary singer with a wide repertoire ranging from Handel to Sibelius and from Negro spirituals to Schubert. Sibelius dedicated his song Solitude to Anderson.

Andersson, Otto 1879-1969

Doctor of Philosophy, musicologist, and friend of Sibelius. He was a professor of musicology and folklore at Åbo Akademi in 1926, and rector from 1929 to 1936. Founder of the Sibelius Museum in Turku. He started an unfinished biography of Sibelius. Publications include Den unge Pacius (The Young Pacius), Johanna von Schoulz, and Jean Sibelius in America.

Arrhenius, Gösta 1865-1953

Court of Appeal Councillor and a childhood friend of Sibelius in Loviisa.

Aspelin-Haapkylä, Eliel 1847-1917

Professor of aesthetics and modern literature at the University of Helsinki from 1892 to 1908, theater and literary critic, chairman of the Finnish Literature Society (SKS) from 1893 to 1903, chairman of the board of the National Theatre from 1905 to 1915, and granted the rank of Councillor of State in 1908. He wrote the history of Finnish theater and was an Old Finn cultural influencer and acquaintance of Sibelius.

Bantock, Granville 1868-1946

British composer and conductor, friend of Sibelius. A champion of new music, he invited Sibelius for his first visit to Britain and often conducted his works. Bantock’s compositions include the choral work Omar Khayyám, two choral symphonies, and the Hebridean Symphony.

Bax, Arnold 1883-1953

British composer who was strongly influenced by Sibelius. He was the lover of pianist Harriet Cohen and an acquaintance of Sibelius. His works include Tintagel and seven symphonies.

Becker, Albert 1834-1899

German composer and Sibelius’s teacher from 1889 to 1890 in Berlin. He was the director of the choir at the Berlin Royal Cathedral and a musical confidant of German Emperor Wilhelm II. He admired Bach and composed church music, among other works.

Bergman, Erik b. 1911

Composer. He studied under Erik Furuhjelm and Ilmari Hannikainen at the Helsinki Conservatory and continued his studies in Berlin in the late 1930s, then in Vienna, at the Vatican Music Academy, and in Switzerland until the 1950s. He was the conductor of the choir of the Helsinki Catholic Church from 1943 to 1950, conductor of the Akademiska Sångföreningen from 1950 to 1969, conductor of the Sällskapet MM from 1951 to 1978, and professor of composition at the Sibelius Academy from 1963 to 1976. He worked as a critic from 1938 until the 1980s, including for Hufvudstadsbladet. An academician and pioneer of modernism, he began his twelve-tone music period in 1952 and moved to a freer, more coloristic, and improvisational style in the 1970s. One of the most versatile and skilled composers in Finnish music history. His extensive body of work includes compositions such as Rubayat, Aton, Colori ed improvvisazioni, Lapponia, and the opera Det sjungande trädet (The Singing Tree).

Burmester, Willy 1869-1933

One of the greatest violinists of his time. He was the second concertmaster of Kajanus’s orchestra from 1892 to 1895. He practiced Paganini’s Caprices in Helsinki and made his international breakthrough with them as his repertoire. His friendship with Sibelius ended when Sibelius, despite his promises, did not give Burmester the premiere of the first—or even the second—version of his violin concerto.

Busoni, Ferruccio 1866-1924

One of the greatest pianists of his time, a conductor who championed new music, and a composer. He taught at the Helsinki Music Institute from 1888 to 1890 and was a friend of Sibelius.

Cajander, Paavo 1846-1913

Poet and lecturer in the Finnish language at the University of Helsinki from 1886 to 1888 and from 1890 to 1912. He wrote the lyrics for the Coronation Cantata, The Captive Queen, and To the Fatherland. Sibelius gave him a draft for the opera Building of the Boat, but Cajander did not create a libretto from it.

Carpelan, Axel 1858-1919

A patron and friend of Sibelius. Although a destitute baron, he secured financial support for Sibelius from his wealthy friends. Carpelan was a notable connoisseur of music whose advice was often followed by Sibelius and Robert Kajanus. Sibelius wrote many of his most detailed letters concerning his compositions to Carpelan.

Cohen, Harriet 1895-1967

Pianist and friend of Sibelius. Cohen’s circle of friends included many leading musical figures of the time, such as her lover Arnold Bax, conductor Henry Wood, writer and critic George Bernard Shaw, and composer Béla Bartók, who dedicated piano pieces to Cohen.

Csillag, Hermann 1852-1922

Sibelius’s violin teacher, who was dismissed from the music institute due to inappropriate behavior. He wrote to Sibelius as late as 1922, asking him to arrange a position for himself in Helsinki.

Delius, Frederick 1862-1934

German-born British composer. A romantically poetic composer in style, he met Sibelius in Birmingham in 1912 and described his works as “too complex and calculated.” His works include Grigg Fair Rhapsody, In a Summer Garden, the choral work Appalachia, and A Mass of Life with words by Nietzsche.

Downes, Olin 1886-1955

Critic for the New York Times and friend of Sibelius. He had an active correspondence with Sibelius from 1927 to 1955. Downes had been writing about Sibelius’s music for the Boston Post from 1907 to 1922 and met Sibelius in Norfolk in 1914. After moving to the New York Times in the 1920s, he continued as an enthusiastic advocate for Sibelius and incurred the wrath of modernists by bitterly criticizing Stravinsky, Mahler, and Schönberg and his students. To Downes, Sibelius was a godlike and father figure. Downes’s insightful critiques also included personal adulation, which annoyed intellectuals.

Ekman, Ida 1875-1942

Soprano and trusted singer of Sibelius, for whom the composer dedicated many of his songs. She lost her voice in the 1920s and focused on teaching.

Ekman, Karl 1869-1947

Pianist, conductor, and educator. He was a piano teacher at the Helsinki Music Institute starting in 1895 and served as director from 1907 to 1912. He was also the conductor of the Turku Music Society Orchestra from 1912 to 1920. He performed in Europe, including with his wife, singer Ida Ekman.

Ekman, Karl (the younger) 1895-1962

The son of Ida and Karl Ekman wrote a biography of Sibelius in 1935 based on ten long interviews. Sibelius was annoyed by the biography, saying he did not have time to correct its numerous errors, even though he received proof copies. Ekman significantly expanded the biography in the new edition of 1956, corrected errors, and changed some passages, apparently due to Sibelius’s criticism.

Englund, Einar 1916-1999

Composer and pianist. He was a lecturer at the Sibelius Academy from 1957 to 1981. He composed seven symphonies, two piano concertos, and ballet and film music. After World War II, Englund became one of Finland’s most significant composers.

Erkko, Juhana Henrik 1849-1906

Respected poet whose poems “Työkansan marssi” (March of the Working People) and “Aamusumussa” (In the Morning Mist) were set to music by Sibelius. Sibelius conspired with Erkko to create a libretto for the opera Building of the Boat, but the collaboration did not yield results, so Sibelius turned to Paavo Cajander. Cajander also withdrew from the task, and the opera was never composed.

Faltin, Richard 1835-1918

Born in Danzig, he was a great pioneer of Finnish musical life. He was a music teacher at the University of Helsinki from 1871 to 1896, organist of Nikolai Church from 1870 to 1913, and conductor of the Finnish Opera from 1873 to 1879. He composed church music and male choir songs and was a critic.

Faltin, Richard (the younger) 1867-1952

A friend of Sibelius in the late 1880s. He was a surgeon and Doctor of Medicine. He worked as a war surgeon and head of the Red Cross ambulance service, including in Manchuria in 1905 and during the First World War from 1914 to 1917. He became the head of the Propaedeutic Surgical Clinic in 1917 and was appointed chairman of the Red Cross in 1919. He published several medical works, including on war surgery.

Favén, Antti 1882-1948

Painter and friend of Sibelius. He painted portraits of Sibelius.

Finne, Jalmari 1874-1938

Director and head of the Finnish National Theatre. Playwright. Co-writer of the script for the “Press Days” tableaux in 1899, director of Armas Järnefelt’s play Death (featuring music by Sibelius) in 1903, lyricist for the Scouts’ March, and writer of the text for the Marjatta Oratorio. Works include the play Pitkäjärveläiset and the humorous novel series The Kiljunens.

Flodin, Karl 1858-1925

One of the most significant critics in Finnish music history. He wrote for publications such as Nya Pressen. He lived in South America from 1908 to 1921. Flodin was cautious about Sibelius’s compositions based on the Kalevala, perhaps due to linguistic-political reasons, and particularly criticized the Lemminkäinen Suite and the Violin Concerto. Despite this, Sibelius respected Flodin as a critic.

Forstén, Filip 1852-1932

Baritone and vocal pedagogue, introduced Sibelius to Pauline Lucca and her salon in Vienna in 1891. He was a professor of solo singing at the Vienna Conservatory from 1894 to 1925.

Fougstedt, Nils-Eric 1910-1962

Conductor and composer. Fougstedt led the Radio Choir, which he founded, from 1940 to 1960, and the Radio Orchestra, later the Radio Symphony Orchestra, from 1944 to 1960. He taught music theory at the Helsinki Conservatory (Sibelius Academy) from 1932 and choral conducting from 1936. His works include two symphonies, Passacaglia for orchestra, Trittico sinfonico, and the very popular Romance from the film Katariina ja Munkkiniemen kreivi.

Fuchs, Robert 1847-1927

Sibelius’s teacher in Vienna from 1890 to 1891. Composer and teacher at the Vienna Conservatory. Among his notable students were Gustav Mahler and Hugo Wolf.

Furuhjelm, Erik 1883-1964

Composer and music writer. A pupil of Sibelius in the orchestra school from 1893. He continued his studies at the Helsinki Music Institute and in Vienna under Robert Fuchs. He taught composition and music theory at the Helsinki Music Institute, later the Conservatory, from 1907 to 1935, as well as holding other teaching positions. Furuhjelm began in a traditional style but composed surprisingly modern works in the 1920s. He completed the first biography of Sibelius in 1916. He wrote about music for many Finnish-Swedish newspapers.

Gallen-Kallela, Akseli (known as Axel Gallén until around 1906) 1865-1931

Painter and friend of Sibelius. He studied in Paris at the Académie Julian and Atelier Cormon from 1884 to 1889. Chairman of the Artists’ Association from 1911 to 1913, and aide-de-camp to Regent Mannerheim in 1919. In the 1880s, he painted realistic depictions of common people, such as The Old Woman and the Cat. In the 1890s, he created masterworks with themes from the Kalevala, including Aino, The Forging of the Sampo, Lemminkäinen’s Mother, and Kullervo’s Curse. He also painted works considered symbolist and scandalous, such as Symposion (1894), which depicts Sibelius and friends philosophizing over drinks, and Ad Astra. In 1900, he painted the ceiling frescoes for the Finnish Pavilion at the Paris World Exhibition. From 1901 to 1903, he created the frescoes for the Juselius Mausoleum in Pori. He experienced a new creative period in Africa from 1909 to 1910. He worked in the United States and Mexico from 1923 to 1926. In his later years, he worked on the frescoes of the National Museum and the illustrations for the Great Kalevala. Gallen-Kallela’s studio homes in Tarvaspää, Espoo, and Kalela, Ruovesi, are now museums and exhibition spaces.

Goldmark, Karl 1830-1915

Hungarian-born composer whose greatest success was the opera The Queen of Sheba in 1875. Sibelius’s teacher in Vienna from 1890 to 1891. He does not mention Sibelius in his memoirs.

Gray, Cecil 1895-1951

Critic for the Manchester Guardian and the Daily Telegraph, and composer of three operas, among other works. Gray’s book on Sibelius from 1931 praised the composer so uncritically that a backlash was inevitable. He recounts amusing stories about Sibelius in his memoirs.

Hagman, Lucina 1853-1946

Sibelius’s second teacher in chronological order at the Finnish-language preparatory school in Hämeenlinna, where she was headmistress from 1875 to 1886. Headmistress of the Helsinki Finnish Co-educational School from 1886 to 1899. Served several terms as a member of parliament from 1907 onward. Chairwoman of the Women’s Rights Union from 1892 to 1907. Author of several pedagogical books and a biography of Minna Canth. The “first love” of 9-year-old Sibelius.

Halonen, Pekka 1865-1933

Painter, friend, and neighbor of Sibelius in Halosenniemi, Tuusula. Halonen is one of the most notable landscape painters in Finnish art history. He painted altarpieces for the churches in Mikkeli, Karstula, Kotka, and Joroinen. His wife, Maija Halonen, played four-handed piano pieces and arrangements with Sibelius. Their son, Antti Halonen, wrote a book about the life of the Tuusula artist community. Halosenniemi is now a house museum.

Hirn, Yrjö 1870-1952

Scholar, aesthetician, and friend of Sibelius. Professor of aesthetics and modern literature at the University of Helsinki from 1910 to 1937. His publications include The Origins of Art (1900) and Det estetiska livet (1913).

Inha, Into Konrad 1865-1930

Schoolmate of Sibelius in Hämeenlinna. Worked as a journalist for Uusi Suometar, travel writer, and pioneer of Finnish photography.

Kajanus, Robert 1856-1933

Conductor, composer, and friend of Sibelius. He studied music in Helsinki, Leipzig, and Dresden. He founded the Helsinki Philharmonic Society Orchestra (later the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra) in 1882, the orchestra school in 1885, and the symphony choir in 1888. He frequently performed Sibelius’s works in Finland and abroad and made the first recordings of Sibelius’s orchestral works in the early 1930s. He won the competition against Sibelius for the position of music teacher at the University of Helsinki and held the position from 1897 to 1927. His compositions include Kullervo’s Death, Aino, Sinfonietta, and Finnish Rhapsodies 1-2.

Kari, Aino 1893-1972

Maid at Ainola from 1911 to 1968. She described daily life at Ainola in her diary, from which only short excerpts have been published.

Katila, Evert 1872-1945

Studied under Sibelius at the orchestra school. He worked as a critic for Päivälehti from 1896 to 1899, as a critic and editor for Uusi Suometar from 1899 to 1918, and as a critic and editor for Helsingin Sanomat from 1919 to 1945. Katila composed several excellent male choir songs. As a journalist, he was skilled in layout design, strike reporting, and writing concert reviews.

Klemetti, Heikki 1876-1953

Composer, choir conductor, and critic. He studied violin and theory under Sibelius at the Helsinki Music Institute starting in 1894 and continued his studies in Berlin, among other places. He taught music history and choral conducting at the Helsinki Music Institute from 1910 to 1920. As Finland’s most significant choir conductor of all time, he led the YL Male Voice Choir from 1898 to 1902, 1904-05, and 1907-1927, the Finnish Song Men’s Choir from 1900 to 1907, and its mixed choir from 1907 to 1942, and the Laulu-Miehet Choir from 1916 to 1920. A sharp-tongued and accessible critic for Uusi Suomi from 1919 to 1945. His most famous work is likely Oi kallis Suomenmaa, in addition to orchestral works, a significant number of choral works, and sacred music.

Kokkonen, Joonas 1921-1996

Composer, pianist, and educator. Kokkonen studied at the Sibelius Academy under Ilmari Hannikainen, Sulho Ranta, and Selim Palmgren. He taught at the same institution as a lecturer in music theory and history from 1950 to 1959 and as a professor of composition from 1959 to 1963. His students included Aulis Sallinen and Paavo Heininen. He worked as a critic for publications such as Ilta-Sanomat and Uusi Suomi. A powerful figure in Finnish musical life, he served as the longtime chairman of the Finnish Composers, the Finnish Symphony Orchestras, and Teosto. His works include four symphonies, Music for Strings, Sinfonia da Camera, …durch einen Spiegel…, and the highly popular opera The Last Temptations.

Konow, Walter von 1866-1943

Sibelius’s closest childhood friend, son of Colonel Johan Emil von Konow, teacher, and historian. Curator of Turku Castle, he was appointed director of the Turku Historical Museum in 1896.

Kotilainen, Otto 1868-1936

Composer and student of Sibelius. Kotilainen taught music theory at the Helsinki Music Institute from 1910 to 1936 and also taught at the orchestra school. He worked as a music critic for publications such as Päivälehti and Helsingin Sanomat. He composed the popular Christmas song Varpunen jouluaamuna (Sparrow on Christmas Morning), as well as several cantatas and other choral works.

Koussevitzky, Serge 1874-1951

Conductor and composer. He played the double bass as a soloist and with the Moscow Opera Orchestra from 1894 to 1897. He led his own orchestra in Russia from 1910 to 1918 and ran an orchestra company in Paris from 1921 to 1928. He elevated the Boston Symphony Orchestra to world renown as its chief conductor from 1924 to 1949. He directed the prestigious Tanglewood Summer Festival from 1937 to 1951. He made acclaimed recordings of Sibelius’s works. Sibelius promised him the premiere of his Eighth Symphony.

Krohn, Ilmari 1867-1960

Composer and acquaintance of Sibelius. He studied at the Leipzig Conservatory from 1886 to 1890 and earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1900. A significant musicologist and collector of folk music, he competed with Sibelius for the position of music teacher at the University of Helsinki from 1896 to 1897 but was not selected. Krohn was a docent of music history and theory at the University of Helsinki from 1900 to 1918 and an extraordinary professor of musicology from 1918 to 1935. He developed a theoretical music system to analyze Sibelius’s symphonies in a manner the composer did not approve of. Krohn considered Sibelius fundamentally a programmatic composer.

Kuula, Toivo 1883-1918

Composer and student of Sibelius. He studied at the Helsinki Music Institute from 1900 to 1903 under Wegelius and continued his studies in 1906, becoming a student of Sibelius in the spring of 1908. His piano trio in the spring marked his breakthrough in Finland. He pursued further studies in Italy, Leipzig, and Paris. In 1911, a composition concert featuring works such as The Bathing Maidens and The Slave Boy sparked enthusiasm. He was a conductor in Oulu from 1910 to 1911, assistant conductor in Kajanus’s orchestra from 1912 to 1915, and in Vyborg from 1916 to 1918. He composed several popular songs for his second wife, Alma Silventoinen, including Tuijotin tulehen kauan (I Stared into the Fire for a Long Time), Syystunnelma (Autumn Mood), Aamulaulu (Morning Song), and Marjatan laulu (Marjatta’s Song). He was killed in the aftermath of the Civil War in the spring of 1918. Other works include Stabat Mater, Virta venhettä vie (The Current Carries the Boat), Wedding March, and Lampaan polska (The Sheep’s Polska).

Leino, Eino 1878-1926

One of Finland’s most popular and significant poets and an acquaintance of Sibelius. He worked as a columnist and critic for Päivälehti and Helsingin Sanomat from 1899 to 1914. His works include the poetry collections Helkavirsiä I-II, Talviyö (Winter Night), and Tähtitarha (Star Garden), as well as the memoir Elämäni kuvakirja (The Picture Book of My Life). Sibelius set Leino’s Hymn to Earth to music. Leino dedicated his poem The Elk at the Spring to Sibelius.

Levander, Gustaf 1824-1895

Sibelius’s violin teacher from 1881 to 1885 in Hämeenlinna. Military bandmaster.

Levas, Santeri 1899-1987

Sibelius’s private secretary from 1938. He wrote books such as Jean Sibelius and His Ainola, Young Sibelius, and The Master of Järvenpää.

Lindelöf, Ernst 1870-1946

Played in a quartet with Sibelius and Christian Sibelius in the late 1880s. Professor at the University of Helsinki from 1903. A significant Finnish mathematician.

Maasalo, Armas 1885-1960

Composer who led the National Choir from 1915 to 1947 and commissioned the cantata Oma maa (My Own Land) from Sibelius in early 1918. Music teacher at the Helsinki Finnish Normal Lyceum from 1916 to 1952, organist at St. John’s Church from 1926 to 1958, and teacher and director of the Helsinki Cantor-Organist School, later the Church Music Institute, from 1914 to 1951 and 1923 to 1951, respectively. He composed esteemed church music, including the Christmas Oratorio in 1945, which was a long-standing part of Helsinki’s Christmas traditions.

Madetoja, Leevi 1887-1947

Composer, studied under Sibelius from 1908 to 1910, and continued his studies in Paris. He was the assistant conductor of the Finnish Orchestra from 1912 to 1914, conductor of the Vyborg Orchestra Association from 1914 to 1916, and a teacher at the Helsinki Music Institute from 1916 to 1939. He worked as a critic for Helsingin Sanomat from 1916 to 1932. Madetoja was the most popular and respected orchestral composer of his time after Sibelius. His works include the operas The Ostrobothnians and Juha, three symphonies, and the ballet pantomime Okon Fuoko. He also composed several high-quality choral works.

Mahler, Gustav 1860-1911

One of the greatest composers of his time. He met Sibelius in 1907 but was not impressed by the Valse triste and Spring Song he heard. Sibelius was briefly influenced by Mahler around the time of composing In Memoriam but later spoke dismissively of the composer. Mahler was an outstanding conductor, leading the Vienna Court Opera from 1897 to 1907 and the Vienna Philharmonic from 1898 to 1901. He completed nine high-quality symphonies and magnificent song cycles, such as Songs of a Wayfarer and Kindertotenlieder. Other notable works include Das Lied von der Erde.

Marvia, Einari 1915-1997

Composer and music historian. Sibelius’s fellow Freemason and a significant Sibelius scholar. Marvia served as the publishing manager for Musiikki Fazer from 1946 to 1980. He produced the revised edition of Sulho Ranta’s Finnish Composers from 1965 to 1966. Editor of Pieni musiikkilehti (Little Music Magazine) from 1961 to 1979. Co-authored the history of the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra in 1993 with Matti Vainio. Conducted research on Sibelius’s ritual music published by the Freemasons’ Minerva Research Lodge series in 1984.

Menuhin, Yehudi 1916-1999

Violinist and conductor. He rose to world fame as a wunderkind, even while still wearing short pants. His teachers included Louis Persinger and George Enescu. He met Sibelius in 1955. One of the most famous musicians of our century.

Merikanto, Aarre 1893-1958

Composer and acquaintance of Sibelius, son of Oskar Merikanto. Merikanto studied under Reger in Leipzig from 1912 to 1914 and gave a promising composition concert in Helsinki in 1914. However, Merikanto proved to be too progressive for the Helsinki audience and music decision-makers: his great masterpiece, the opera Juha, was completed in 1921-1922 but was not performed during his lifetime. Merikanto returned to more traditional compositional paths in the 1930s and gained respect as a professor of composition at the Sibelius Academy from 1951. His works include Lemminkäinen, Pan, the opera Juha, Schott Concerto, three symphonies, Symphonic Exercise, and three piano concertos.

Merikanto, Oskar 1868-1924

Composer, organist, critic for Päivälehti and Helsingin Sanomat, and acquaintance of Sibelius. A master composer of small, folk-style songs, he also wrote the first Finnish-language opera, The Maiden of the North. Other operas include Elinan surma and Regina von Emmeritz. He was a teacher at the Helsinki Cantor-Organist School from 1889 to 1914 and the organist at the New Church (now St. John’s Church) from 1892 to 1924.

Newmarch, Rosa 1857-1940

A significant English musicologist and writer, friend of Sibelius. Newmarch hosted Sibelius during his visits to Britain and corresponded with Sibelius and his wife, Aino. She wrote a small introductory booklet about Sibelius as early as 1906 and collected her memories of her friendship with him in the book A Short Story of a Long Friendship in 1939.

Ormandy, Eugene 1899-1985

Conductor. Chief conductor of the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra from 1938 to 1980.

Palmgren, Selim 1878-1951

Composer, concert pianist, and acquaintance of Sibelius. He studied under Wegelius from 1895 to 1899 and continued his studies in Berlin. He conducted the YL Male Voice Choir from 1902 to 1904 and again from 1927 to 1928 and led the Turku Music Society Orchestra from 1909 to 1912. He worked as a critic for Päivälehti at the beginning of the century and for Hufvudstadsbladet from 1930 to 1951. In the early 1920s, he accepted the position of Professor of Composition at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, USA, a position Sibelius had declined, and he held it for five years. He became a piano teacher at the Helsinki Conservatory in 1929 and a professor of composition at the Sibelius Academy in 1939. A significant pianist, he composed five popular piano concertos, earning the international reputation of the “Chopin of the North.” Other works include the opera Daniel Hjort and the cantata Turun lilja (The Lily of Turku). His first wife was Maikki Järnefelt-Palmgren.

Parviainen, Oscar 1880-1938

Painter. He donated five of his works to Sibelius, two of which, Funeral Procession and Bönen till Gud (Prayer to God), remain at Ainola, while the others are with the daughters’ descendants. Sibelius named the painting Bönen till Gud as Valse triste.

Paul, Adolf 1863-1943

Close friend of Sibelius and writer. Sibelius’s fellow student at the Helsinki Music Institute from 1886 to 1889 and a student of pianist Ferruccio Busoni. His debut novel, En bok om en människa (A Book About a Person), covertly depicted Paul and his friendship with Sibelius in 1891. He later collaborated with Sibelius, who composed music for Paul’s play King Christian II. He achieved international success with several plays.

Rautavaara, Einojuhani b. 1928

Composer. He studied at the Sibelius Academy under Aarre Merikanto and continued his studies in the United States, Ascona, and Cologne. He was the principal of Käpylä Music Institute from 1965 to 1967, a lecturer at the Sibelius Academy from 1966 to 1971, an artist professor from 1971 to 1976, and a professor of composition at the Sibelius Academy from 1976 to 1991. He worked as a critic for Ilta-Sanomat from 1963 to 1966. He met Sibelius twice in the 1950s. One of the most respected and versatile composers of his generation, he achieved significant international success in the latter half of the 1990s. His works include seven symphonies (the eighth premiered in spring 2000 in Philadelphia), several operas such as Rasputin, Thomas, Vincent, The House of the Sun, and Aleksis Kivi, as well as Cantus Arcticus, a concerto for birds and orchestra.

Ringvall, August 1865-1941

Conductor and violinist of the Hämeenlinna Normal Lyceum student orchestra. Son of conductor Gustaf Ringvall. He initially studied in St. Petersburg and moved to Hämeenlinna in 1880. “Rinkvallin Aku” was considered a more accomplished musician than Sibelius, but due to his fluent Russian, he became the Senate’s chief translator and, after independence, the head of the Government Translation Office.

Savonius, Eva

Sibelius’s first teacher and a close friend of the Sibelius family in Hämeenlinna. She founded the Swedish-language preparatory school in Hämeenlinna in 1865. She also held teaching positions in other educational institutions.

Schnéevoigt, Georg 1872-1947

Conductor and arch-rival of Robert Kajanus. Schnéevoigt started as a cellist and worked as a conductor in Riga and with the Kaim Orchestra in Munich at the beginning of the century. He founded the Helsinki Symphony Orchestra in 1912 and co-conducted the Helsinki City Orchestra with Kajanus from 1914 to 1916 and succeeded Kajanus from 1932 to 1941. He also conducted in Stockholm and with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. A skillful and impulsive maestro who did not please everyone, but Sibelius praised his musicality.

Similä, Martti 1898-1958

Conductor, friend of Sibelius, also a pianist and composer. He was a conductor at the Finnish Opera from 1927 to 1944, with the Helsinki City Orchestra from 1944 to 1950, and led the Lahti City Orchestra from 1951. He composed music for 34 films, including The Cobblers on the Heath and Seven Brothers. He wrote a warm booklet titled Sibeliana, which included personal adoration in 1945.

Slöör, Mikko 1866-1934

Teacher at the Businessmen’s Business School. Brother-in-law of Akseli Gallen-Kallela and Sibelius’s financial manager from 1898 to 1908. He also guaranteed Sibelius’s debts.

Sola, Wäinö 1883-1962

Tenor, friend, and fellow Freemason of Sibelius. Sola was a founding member of the Finnish Opera in 1911 and worked there as a tenor and director from 1911 to 1949. He translated several librettos and songs. He frequently performed Sibelius’s songs, including his Masonic music.

Stenhammar, Wilhelm 1871-1927

Swedish composer, conductor, and pianist, friend of Sibelius. Stenhammar served as the artistic director of the Gothenburg Orchestral Society from 1907 to 1922 and performed many of Sibelius’s works, who dedicated his Sixth Symphony to him.

Stern, Isaac 1920-2001

Violinist, one of the most influential artists of his generation. He met Sibelius in 1951. Stern was also known for discovering and nurturing young talents such as Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zukerman, Gil Shaham, Yefim Bronfman, Yo-Yo Ma, and Midori, known as the “Stern Gang.”

Stoeckel, Carl 1858-1925

American millionaire, founder of the Norfolk Music Festival, and significant art patron. He commissioned The Oceanides from Sibelius and invited him to conduct his music in Norfolk in 1914.

Söderhjelm, Werner 1859-1931

Significant literary scholar and Finnish ambassador to Sweden. Friend and patron of Sibelius.

Tigerstedt, Anna 1860-1946

Musician friend of Sibelius and daughter of Hämeenlinna city doctor Theodor Tigerstedt. She played chamber music with Sibelius from 1882 to 1885 in Hämeenlinna. She was the first female violin student at the Helsinki Music Institute from 1883 to 1890 and taught violin at the music institute from 1893 to 1904.

von Törne, Bengt 1891-1967

Composer, aesthetician, and writer. Private student of Sibelius in 1916. He wrote a worshipful book titled Sibelius: A Close Up in 1937, about twenty years after his lessons. The book provoked a strong backlash, including from Adorno, whose harsh critique negatively influenced German critics’ attitudes towards Sibelius’s music. Von Törne held composition concerts in 1917, 1918, and 1921. His works include six symphonies, the symphonic poem King Fjalar, and a piano concerto. He authored 14 works on cultural history and aesthetics.

Törnudd, Axel 1874-1923

Sibelius’s composition student, composer, and pedagogue. He was a music lecturer at the Rauma Seminary and the first inspector of singing education for the Board of Education in 1919. His works include A Brief History of Music (1907), School Songbook (1913), significant and humorous male choir songs, and his main work Loitsu from 1902.

Vainikainen, Helmi 1885-1979

Cook at Ainola from November 1907.

Vehanen, Kosti 1887-1957

Pianist. He had a successful international career, performing with singer Marian Anderson, among others. He recounts his meetings with Sibelius in his memoirs.

Voigt, Paul 1867-1943

Violinist and Sibelius’s copyist. He played in Kajanus’s orchestra from 1893 to 1900 and from 1910 to 1911. He transcribed the beginning of the Eighth Symphony and possibly the entire work. From 1923 to 1943, he lived in the same block where Sibelius’s Kammiokatu apartment was located during World War II.

Väisänen, A. O. (Armas Otto) 1890-1969

Doctor of Philosophy, director of the Kalevala Society’s office, and docent at the University of Helsinki. An ethnologist and researcher and collector of folk music, and an acquaintance of Sibelius. His second wife was Kirsti Gallen-Kallela, daughter of Akseli Gallen-Kallela.

Wasenius, Karl Fredrik 1850-1920

Sibelius’s playing partner in the Helsinki Music Institute’s string quartet, and a long-time critic for Hufvudstadsbladet under the pseudonym “Bis.” He published the stage music for King Christian II and some of Sibelius’s other works, though his publishing company went bankrupt. He shared promissory notes with Sibelius and often sourly evaluated Sibelius’s mid-career works and his skills as a conductor.

Wegelius, Martin 1846-1906

Sibelius’s composition teacher from 1885 to 1889. The greatest pioneer of Finnish music education. He studied at the University of Helsinki, the Leipzig Conservatory, and in Munich. He founded the Helsinki Music Institute in 1882 and led it until his death. His students included Armas Järnefelt, Erkki Melartin, Selim Palmgren, and Toivo Kuula. In his compositions, Wegelius was influenced by the Viennese classics and Wagner. He wrote extensively on pedagogy and authored works on the history of Western music.

von Wendt, Georg 1876-1954

Doctor of Medicine and also of Philosophy, Professor of Animal Husbandry at the University of Helsinki in 1910. Member of Parliament from 1919 to 1922, with several medical publications, including on the effects of Vitamin C. Von Wendt studied under Sibelius at the orchestra school. Later, von Wendt wrote alcohol prescriptions for Sibelius during the prohibition era and vitamin regimens in the 1940s.

Wettenhovi-Aspa (formerly Wetterhof-Asp), Sigurd 1870-1946

Controversial painter and original linguist who believed Finnish was the root of all languages. An eccentric friend of Sibelius.

Wood, Henry 1869-1944

British conductor and founder of the famous Promenade Concerts (Proms) in London. The Proms began in 1895 at Queen’s Hall and moved to the Royal Albert Hall in 1941. He established the now-common orchestra arrangement with the second violins next to the first violins on the conductor’s left. He often conducted Sibelius’s works.

Zilliacus, Henrik Wilhelm 1857-1919

Sibelius’s ear doctor. A supporter of the Jäger movement, he encouraged Sibelius to compose the Jäger March.