Tom says…Jean Sibelius, Finlandia Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) was a violinist & composer who was inspired by the beauty of the landscape and the stories of Finland. He wrote music that paints a mental picture for us of gigantic mountains, big skies, and beautiful trees – but with some drama thrown in! His music brought people together as Finland was trying to protect its own identity as independent from Russia.
‘Finlandia’ Finlandia is what is known as a tone poem. A tone poem is a piece of orchestral music on a theme – it tells a story, usually a struggle of trouble and chaos leading to a resolution. Finlandia is a protest piece against the Russian Empire which was threatening independence. In the same year that Finlandia was composed (1899), artists represented this as a Russian eagle trying to snatch the Finnish law book from a maiden’s hand. Finlandia ends with a simple yet powerful hymn-like melody, written by Sibelius, which is often used to accompany the 18th century hymn ‘Be still, my soul’. The words of the hymn help us to be patient and to trust God.
Be still my soul the Lord is on thy side Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain Leave to thy God to order and provide In every change He faithful will remain Be still my soul thy best, thy heavenly friend Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Edvard Isto, Attack (1899) The dramatic opening bars of Finlandia
Tasks 1. Listen to the piece – and enjoy the beautiful video featuring Finnish landscape and wildlife. Notice how music can help to narrate a story – and how well nature and music are suited! 2. Paint a picture of the Northern Lights while listening to Finlandia. You may need to find a picture of the Northern Lights to copy. 3. Learn the words of ‘Be still my soul’ (verse 1, above) from memory 4. Sing along at home to this recording by Libera 5. Discover some more of Sibelius’s music. Name three other pieces that he is famous for & list them on the back of your Northern Lights painting
Tom says…Jean Sibelius, Finlandia
1. 2. 3. 4.
The Northern Lights above a Finnish lake The flag of Finland ‘Be still my soul’ A cartoon of Sibelius with a swan, representing his piece ‘The Swan of Tuonela’