104. Classical Music: 19. Jean Sibelius, ACJ Music Academy

How are you?

This week's lecture is “Jean Sibelius”, the 19th topic of “Classical Music”, which is a summary of the contents of “104. Classical Music: 19. Jean Sibelius” introduced on September 23rd, 2017.

Jean Sibelius, born on December 8, 1865 and died on September 20, 1957, was a Finnish composer and violinist of the late Romantic and early-modern periods.

Sibelius (1913)

He is recognized as Finland's greatest composer, and his music is credited with helping Finland develop a national identity during its struggle for independence from Russia.

The core of his works is his seven symphonies, performed and recorded regularly in Finland and many other countries, like his other major works. His other famous works include Finlandia, the Karelia Suite, Valse triste, the Violin Concerto, the choral symphony Kullervo, and The Swan of Tuonela (from the Lemminkäinen Suite).

Finlandia premiere edition

Sibelius was born in Hämeenlinna in the Grand Duchy of Finland, an autonomous part of the Russian Empire. He was the son of the medical doctor Christian Gustaf Sibelius and Maria Charlotta Sibelius. His surname comes from the Sibbe estate in Eastern Uusimaa, which was owned by his paternal great-grandfather.

Sibelius's birthplace in Hämeenlinna

Sibelius composed prolifically until the mid-1920s, but after completing his Seventh Symphony (1924), the incidental music for The Tempest (1926) and the tone poem Tapiola (1926), he stopped composing for his last 30 years, commonly referred to as the "silence of Järvenpää", derived from the place where his home was located. However, even during this period, when it is known that he stopped composing, traces of his efforts to continue composing can be seen such as his eighth symphony.

Jean Sibelius and wife Aino in Ainola's dining room

He died of a brain haemorrhage on the evening of September 20, 1957 in Ainola at the age of 91. At the time of his death, his Fifth Symphony, conducted by Sir Malcolm Sargent, was being broadcast via the radio in Helsinki, and at the same time as the UN General Assembly in progress, Sir Leslie Munro of New Zealand, who was the then-General Assembly President, ordered a moment of silence, saying, "Sibelius belonged to the whole world. With his music, he enriched the life of the entire human race”. Sibelius was honored with a state funeral and buried in the garden at Ainola.

Sibelius's funeral in Helsinki (1957)

Finland's 100 mark note featured his image until 2002, when the euro was adopted. Since 2011, the Finnish government has celebrated a flag flying day on December 8, the composer's birthday, also known as the "Day of Finnish Music". In 2015, in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the composer's birth, many special concerts and events were held, especially in Helsinki, the Finnish capital.

The Sibelius Park in Kotka, Finland

Thank you.

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COMPOSER OF THE WEEK: 28. Jean Sibelius

Born: December 8, 1865; Hämeenlinna, Finland

Died: September 20, 1957; Ainola, Finland

Nationality: Finnish

Occupation: Composer

Jean Sibelius was a Finnish composer and violinist of the late Romantic and early Modern periods. Born on December 8, 1865 and died on September 20, 1957, he is regarded as the greatest composer in his country, Finland. His music is also credited with helping Finland to develop its national identity during a period when Finland struggles for independence from Russia.

Sibelius's birthplace, Hämeenlinna

His core works are seven symphonies, which, like his other major works, are regularly performed and recorded in his home country and internationally. His other most famous works include Finlandia, the Karelia Suite, Valse triste, the Violin Concerto, Kullervo, and The Swan of Tuonela from the Lemminkäinen Suite.

Finlandia (first edition)

Sibelius was a prolific composer until the mid-1920s, but after completing his Seventh Symphony (1924), Tempest (1926) and Tapiola (1926), he almost stopped compositional activity during his last thirty years, showing a surprising and perplexing decline called "The Silence of Järvenpää", the location of his home.

Sibelius (1913)

Sibelius sketch, Albert Engström (1904)

On September 20, 1957, Sibelius died of a brain haemorrhage at the age of 91 in Ainola.

Since 2011, Finland has celebrated a Flag Day on 8 December, Sibelius' birthday, also known as the "Day of Finnish Music". In 2015, the 150th anniversary of Sibelius' birth, many special concerts and events were held, especially in the city of Helsinki.

Sibelius's funeral, Helsinki (1957)

Sibelius monument, Helsinki, Finland

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21. World Music: Nordic, ACJ Music Academy

How are you?

Following the last week, I am going to start my 21st lecture.

I had conducted music lectures at Art Collage JANG in Seoul, South Korea every Saturday from March 2015 to December 2017.

I am going to introduce some of the music in the lecture with a brief overview of the lecture by the lecture’s order every Saturday.

Please refer to the following link for my previous lectures.

https://blog.naver.com/csydr/220995605864

The 21st lecture for today is "World Music: Nordic".

This lecture was the 21st lecture of “ACJ Music Academy”, which was held on 5 September 2015.

Nordic countries typically include Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland.

Among them, I will briefly introduce the folk music of Iceland, Norway and Sweden today.

Due to the geographical isolation, it was difficult for Iceland to access the music of continental Europe.

Therefore, its similarities with other European countries are very low, and the music of the Middle-Ages prevailed the music of Iceland until the 19th century.

The music of Iceland has a very long tradition, and some of the songs made in the 14th century are still sung today.

Folk songs generally deal with love, harsh winters and mythical creatures, and are very secular and humorous.

For Norway, more than half of the land is located in the north of the Arctic Circle, and northern Norway is characterized by continuous white nights in summer.

Norway's most representative instrument is the fiddle, which is shorter than those of other countries, and it features a higher pitched sound than standard-sized fiddles.

The Norwegian fiddle is called the ‘Hardingfele', named after ‘Hardanger’, the southwestern part of Norway, and it has been used since the mid-17th century.

Sweden is the most influential countries in the pop and rock music market in the world among the Nordic countries, producing many worldwide stars that have gained great popularity, such as Abba, Ace of Base and Yaki-Da.

Recently, however, Swedish folk music has begun to attract global attention, which is the result of a movement to establish a "national identity" like other Scandinavian countries.

Despite these movements, however, the main trend of Swedish culture is characterized by a tendency to actively embrace the culture of the outside world and enjoy it as a global culture, rather than adherence to tradition.

Thus, unlike many Nordic countries, it is characteristic that Sweden is hard to find a rigorous folk tradition.

Today, I will introduce 3 Nordic music as follows:

1. Ólafur Liljurós (Iceland)

2. Khoom Loy-Annbjørg Lien (Norway)

3. Vallåtar från gammelboning (Sweden)

You can listen to all the songs from following YouTube link.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSmshmgJzYhf4yq4Kg2KCu0cB2B1geGhX

Next week, I will be with you with "World Music: Benelux" as my 22nd lecture.

Thank you.