Jean Sibelius: Life, Music, Silence

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Few composers have enjoyed such critical acclaim or longevity as Jean Sibelius, who died in 1957 aged 91. Always more than simply a Finnish national figure, an 'apparition from the woods' as he ironically described himself, Sibelius's life spanned turbulent and tumultuous events, and his work is central to the story of late nineteenth and early twentieth-century music. This book situates Sibelius within a rich interdisciplinary environment, paying attention to his relationship with architecture, literature, politics and the visual arts. Drawing on the latest developments in Sibelius research, it is intended as an accessible and rewarding introduction for the general reader, and also offers a fresh and provocative interpretation for those more familiar with his music.

'A brief, thoughtful biography [and] a welcome addition to the literature on a creative master who continues to stand apart.' Tim Page, Wall Street Journal

'A wide-ranging yet taut narrative, in which the musical works are balanced with the life story. And while this is far from the first Sibelius biography, [Daniel M. Grimley] adds something new by meticulously drawing on relevant cultural, artistic, historical and political context.' BBC Music magazine

Reviews

'A brief, thoughtful biography that should prove engaging to scholar and novice alike . . . Jean Sibelius: Life, Music, Silence is a welcome addition to the literature on a creative master who continues to stand apart.' Tim Page, The Wall Street Journal
'The quest to compose drove [Sibelius's] life, yet as Grimley notes, much else about him is hard to pin down . . . This complexity is embraced in a wide-ranging yet taut narrative, in which the musical works are balanced with the life story. And while this is far from the first Sibelius biography, the British academic adds something new by meticulously drawing on relevant cultural, artistic, historical and political context. Broad ideas are interrogated, whether that's the complexity of national identity or the vision of the Finnish forest composer. The insightful musical analysis makes a wonderful case for the rarer songs and theatre music.' BBC Music Magazine
'Grimley writes well and sensitively: providing technical information and opinion without being over-academic . . . Jean Sibelius Life, Music and Silence is a subtle and informative study of Sibelius providing much fresh information and perspectives.' Classical CD Choice
'Always more than simply a Finnish national figure, Sibelius's life spanned tumultuous events. This book situates him within a rich interdisciplinary environment, paying attention to his relationship with architecture, literature, politics and the visual arts. Drawing on the latest developments in Sibelius research, it is intended as an accessible and rewarding introduction for the general reader, and also offers a fresh and provocative interpretation for those more familiar with his music.' Presto Music Awards 2021 - Book Winner
'The three-word subtitle of Daniel M. Grimleys Jean Sibelius: Life, music, silence (Reaktion) provides the key to its excellence. Life shows Sibeliuss emergence from a Swedish-speaking provincial-city background into becoming an international celebrant of Finnish language, myth, poetry and landscape. Music insists on the varieties within Sibeliuss output songs, piano compositions, theatre music (with Everyman outstanding) as well as the tone-poems and seven symphonies, here superbly analysed. Silence means 27 years an intractable dilemma. Grimley probes political ambivalences, the reality of an Eighth Symphony, while leaving us with huge gratitude for the incomparable richness of Life and Music.' Paul Binding, TLS 'Books of the Year'
'It is easy for a biographer to lose focus on what Sibelius called his inner life, while trying to include all his other activities within a very intricate and unfamiliar socio-political context. Professor Grimley has an exemplary grasp of the latter, and (like his subject) generally knows what to leave out.' John Greening, TLS
'Composer Jean Sibelius is almost always associated with nationalism, particularly in his homeland of Finland. However, as Grimley demonstrates, Sibelius was a composer of much more depth than just his well-known major works. He also composed theater works, songs, and chamber works. Grimley examines this broader catalog and also considers some of the revised chronology issues to Sibeliuss catalog discovered through work on the complete edition of Sibelius's works . . . Sibelius is so much more than just a few labels, and Grimley delicately places Sibelius both within his time and within his own popular canon. Recommended.' Choice
'With a new spring in his step across already familiar ground, Daniel Grimley reinvigorates the life-and-works format by vividly placing Sibelius within the ever-shifting artistic and geopolitical landscape of his time, and that of existing scholarship. Grimleys elegant fusion of audible musicological detail and warm human insight will enrich the academic and general reader alike.' Hilary Finch, former music critic, The Times
'Daniel Grimleys Jean Sibelius: Life, Music, Silence is a concise, balanced and reader-friendly volume that combines successful biographical study with cultural-historical cross-section and discussion about up-to-date topics in the literature, such as the debate on Sibeliuss political orientation. Extending the examination beyond the standard Sibelius repertoire, the authors perspective on the composers music is fresh and inventive.' Timo Virtanen, Lecturer at Sibelius Academy, University of the Arts Helsinki, and Editor-in-Chief of the Jean Sibelius Works

Author Bio

Daniel M. Grimley is Professor of Music and Professorial Fellow at Merton College, University of Oxford. His books include Delius and the Sound of Place (2018).