Jean Sibelius (1865 – 1957)

Finland, believe it or not, has produced a slew of renowned composers. However, Jean Sibelius is by far the most well-known of the composers.

Finland was a part of the Russian Empire when Sibelius initially rose to prominence as a composer. The country gained independence in 1917 when he was at the height of his glory. His music is credited with assisting Finland in overcoming Russian control by instilling a strong sense of national identity in his homeland during a moment of tremendous struggle.

The Kalevala, a compendium of Finnish folklore, poetry, and mythology, inspired many of Sibelius' compositions. Finlandia (above), a tone poem written in protest of the Russian Empire's censorship, was one of his works. Along with pieces like the Karelia Suite and Valse triste, this composition helped put Sibelius (and Finland) on the map.

His Symphony No. 2 was described as "vulgar, self-indulgent, and provincial beyond all description" by the New York Herald Tribune. “Pay no attention to what the critics say; no statue has ever been put up to a critic,” the great man once said.

Nationality: Finnish