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Jean Sibelius

Jean Sibelius.

Jean Sibelius.

Jean Sibelius artist page: interviews, features and/or performances archived at NPR Music

Concerts

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July 21, 2006 An exclusive webcast from Festival del Sole, anchored by the Russian National Orchestra.

Interviews & Profiles

In his diary, Sibelius noted the inspiration for the grand theme in his Fifth Symphony: "Today I saw 16 swans. God, what beauty! They circled over me for a long time. Disappeared into the solar haze like a silver ribbon."

October 6, 2009 Inspired by swans in flight, Jean Sibelius introduces some of his best ideas in his fifth symphony.

ListenPlaylist

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October 12, 2007 Alex Ross' book The Rest Is Noise chronicles classical music in the 20th century.

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Discover Songs

Which composer would you choose to have dinner with?

November 5, 2010 This week, we asked the question: which long-gone composer would make the perfect dinner guest.

Composer Jean Sibelius

November 1, 2010 What kind of dinner guest would Mozart make? Tell us which composer you'd like to break bread with.

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News

One of the great unknown Russian composers?: Tsar Alexander II of Russia, in a portrait from c. 1875.

December 23, 2011 Newly rediscovered Russian aristocratic gems, Boston loses opera and piano-playing iPhones.

Reviews

Violist Nadia Sirota.

February 12, 2013 A bottomless bass sings Handel and a soaring symphony by Sibelius are among this week's picks.

ListenPlaylist

Jascha Heifetz set new precision standards for the classical violin.

March 28, 2011 With the release of a 103-CD Heifetz box set, one blogger had his work cut out for him.

More Stories

Colin Davis found power in humility later in his career — and one astonished music journalist.

April 17, 2013 Colin Davis was completely at peace with himself, a confidence that radiated like a sacred aura.

ListenPlaylist

Ask your doctor about prescription Bolero.

January 20, 2012 Fridays are funnier with a classical cartoon at noon, from Deceptive Cadence.

What's on your summer playlist?

June 20, 2011 Does your summer playlist try to match the rising mercury or beat the heat?

Can classical music get down and party?

May 10, 2011 Can classical music get down and party? Some jazz musicians sure think so.

A sunless day in winter

December 22, 2010 When the season shifts to chilly, cloudy days, does your musical taste change too?

A partridge poses in a pear tree.

December 20, 2010 Enjoy 50% less stress with our Six Days Of Christmas classical quiz.

Conductor Simon Rattle

October 21, 2010 Hear the Berlin Philharmonic conductor's handpicked favorites from three decades.

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April 4, 2008 The great conductor was born 100 years ago. His biographer recommends Karajan's best recordings.

October 8, 2007 This year marks the 50th anniversary of the death of classical composer Jean Sibelius.

ListenPlaylist

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December 1, 2006 Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts the symphonic (and, for Finns, iconic) poem.

ListenPlaylist

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July 24, 2006 Finnish composer Jean Sibelius was deeply moved by the changing seasons and their effect on nature.

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February 13, 2006 Mustonen performs "Ten Pieces for Piano" from the small German resort town of Seebad Ahlbeck.

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NPR Artist Directory

Chopin

Frederic Chopin

Hear Chopin's music in performance and perspective.

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Gillian Welch

Gillian Welch

Enjoy archival interviews and performances from the folk revivalist.

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Spoon

Spoon

Music, live concerts and interviews with the pop-rock band.

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Rodrigo y Gabriela

Rodrigo y Gabriela

Hear and watch exclusive performances from the guitar-playing Mexican duo.

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Bon Iver

Bon Iver

Hear concerts and interviews with the atmospheric art-folk singer.

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Charles Mingus

Charles Mingus

Hear performances and profiles of the jazz innovator's work.

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Emerson String Quartet

Emerson String Quartet

Hear essential recordings and performances from the lauded quartet.

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Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

NPR Music explores the life and voice of the passionate Qawwali singer.

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Wye Oak

Wye Oak

Exclusive performances from the pop duo from Baltimore.

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M.I.A.

M.I.A.

Music and news from the Sri Lanka-born hip-hop artist and producer.

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Arcade Fire

Arcade Fire

Hear concerts and interviews with the grandiose art-rock band.

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favorite artist

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The Rite of Spring

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  • Album: The Rite of Spring
  • Artist: Igor Stravinsky
  • Label: SONY
  • Released: 1988
 

Sibelius: Symphonies 4-7

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  • Album: Sibelius: Symphonies 4-7
  • Artist: Herbert Von Karajan
  • Label: Deutsche Grammophon
  • Released: 1999
 

Music for 18 Musicians

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  • Album: Music for 18 Musicians
  • Artist: Steve Reich
  • Label: Nonesuch
  • Released: 2006
 

Quartet for the End of Time

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  • Album: Quartet for the End of Time
  • Artist: Olivier Messiaen
  • Label: DELOS
  • Released: 1986
 

Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 7; En Saga [Hybrid SACD]

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  • Album: Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 5 & 7; En Saga [Hybrid SACD]
  • Artist: Colin Davis
  • Label: PentaTone Classics
  • Released: 2008
 

Milestones of the Millennium: Songs & Dances - Nationalism in Music

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  • Album: Milestones of the Millennium: Songs & Dances - Nationalism in Music
  • Artist: Various
  • Label: Sony Classical
  • Released: 1999