Jean Sibelius

Books about Jean Sibelius and his music

David Hurwitz and Jean Sibelius Sibelius Orchestral Works: An Owner's Manual (Unlocking the Masters) Amadeus Press, 2006; ISBN 1574671499; 256 pages Jean Sibelius was not only Finland's greatest composer, he was one of the most distinctive and appealing musical voices in the first half of the 20th century, especially renowned for his characterful handling of the romantic symphony orchestra. His example has led directly to an unprecedented cultural flowering in his homeland, making this small country of 5 million people a powerhouse in the world of classical music composition and performance. Sibelius The Orchestral Works - An Owner's Manual considers over 80 individual orchestral pieces, from songs and choruses to symphonies, tone poems, overtures, and theatrical music. Along the way, readers are invited to identify and enjoy the fascinating mix of elements that make up Sibelius's colorful personal idiom. Two CDs accompanying the text offer not only a rich selection of music by Sibelius, including two complete symphonies and two of his most popular tone poems, but also a representative selection of the best Finnish music by his contemporaries and successors. This approach offers a unique opportunity: to hear Sibelius in context and gain an understanding of exactly what distinguishes him from his contemporaries, how he influenced later generations, and how it was that he came to be viewed as the musical spokesperson of an entire nation. Price indication: $ 18.45

Glenda Dawn Goss The Sibelius Companion Greenwood Press, 1996; ISBN 0313283931; 472 pages The Sibelius Companion represents in its collected chapters the most advanced research in the field of Sibelius studies today. Since mid-century, so much new information has come to light that our understanding of both the man and his music has changed profoundly. These changes are fully represented in the present volume. Price indication: $ 125.00

Stanley Sadie and John Tyrrell The New Grove Turn of the Century Masters: Janacek, Mahler, Strauss, Sibelius (Composer Biography Series) W. W. Norton & Company, 1985; ISBN 0393300986; 324 pages Price indication: $ 49.99

Karl Ekman Jean Sibelius, His Life And Personality (Music Book Index) Reprint Services Corp, 1938; ISBN 0781294916 Price indication: $ 79.00

Eero Tarasti and Eero. Tarasti Myth and Music: A Semiotic Approach to the Aesthetics of Myth in Music, Especially That of Wagner, Sibelius and Stravinsky (Approaches to Semiotics, 51) Walter De Gruyter Inc, 1979; ISBN 9027979189; 366 pages Price indication: $ 33.70

Andrew Barnett Jean Sibelius Yale University Press, 1959; ISBN 0300111592; 464 pages <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Informed by a wealth of information that has come to light in recent years, this engaging biography tells the complete story of the life and musical work of Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (1865-1957). Drawing on Sibelius’s own correspondence and diaries, contemporary reviews, and the remarks of family and friends, the book presents a rich account of the events of the musician’s life. In addition, this volume is the first to set every work and performable fragment by Sibelius in its historical and musical context. Filling a significant gap, the biography also provides the first accurate information about much of the composer’s early music. <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">  <P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Writing for the general music-lover, Andrew Barnett combines his own extensive knowledge of Sibelius’s music with the insights of other scholars and musicians. He lays to rest a number of myths and untruths—that Sibelius wrote no chamber music of value, for example, and that he stopped composing in 1926 and didn’t need to compose to earn a living. Barnett completes the volume with the most thorough worklist available and an authoritative chronology of Sibelius’s entire output. Price indication: $ 38.00

James A. Hepokoski and Julian Rushton Sibelius: Symphony No. 5 (Cambridge Music Handbooks) Cambridge University Press, 1993; ISBN 0521409586; 124 pages Sibelius's Fifth is one of the great late-Romantic symphonies. In this searching account, based on a wealth of new information, James Hepokoski takes a fresh look at the work and its composer. His findings have implications beyond Sibelius himself into the entire repertory of post-Wagnerian symphonic composition. In addition to providing a descriptive analytical overview, the book also chronicles the work's initial composition and subsequent revisions. It concludes with a discussion of the composer's own prescribed tempos, along with a comparison of several different recordings. Price indication: $ 24.99

Daniel M. Grimley and Jonathan Cross The Cambridge Companion to Sibelius (Cambridge Companions to Music) Cambridge University Press, 2004; ISBN 0521894603; 294 pages This Companion provides an up-to-date introduction to the life and music of Finland's greatest composer, Jean Sibelius (1865-1957). Divided into four sections, it explores Sibelius's early career, his major musical achievements, historical reception and influence, and the performance and interpretation of his work. Sibelius emerges as one of the most striking figures in twentieth-century music. The book will be of interest to performers and the general public as well as serious scholars. Price indication: $ 24.89

Burnett James Sibelius (Illustrated Lives of the Great Composers) Exclusive distributors, Music Sales Corp, 1989; ISBN 0711910618; 112 pages Price indication: $ 4.62

Erik Tawaststjerna Sibelius 1904-1914 University of California Press, 1987; ISBN 0520058690; 302 pages Price indication: $ 39.99

Glenda Dawn Goss Jean Sibelius and Olin Downes: Music, Friendship, Criticism Northeastern University Press, 1994; ISBN 1555532004; 320 pages Glenda Dawn Goss draws on nearly thirty years of correspondence as she examines the zealous promotion of composer Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) by the conservative New York Times music critic, Olin Downes (1886-1955) and analyzes the process by which an influential critic shapes public musical taste. Price indication: $ 40.00

Erik Tawaststjerna Sibelius 1865 1905 University of California Press, 1976; ISBN 0520030141; 316 pages Price indication: $ 36.00

Hermine Weigel Williams Sibelius and His Masonic Music: Sounds in 'Silence' (Studies in the History and Interpretation of Music) Edwin Mellen Press, 1998; ISBN 0773483764; 249 pages Price indication: $ 109.95

Timothy L. Jackson and Veijo Murtomäki Sibelius Studies (Cambridge Composer Studies) Cambridge University Press, 2008; ISBN 0521033578; 420 pages Sibelius Studies presents a new portrait of this popular and prolific composer. Sibelius's symphonies often have been mentioned in the same breath with Beethoven's; indeed, in the twentieth century, they have enjoyed a commensurate popularity. The book contextualizes Sibelius' symphonies and tone poems in the larger development of European music, especially its transition from late romanticism to modernism. The relationship between Sibelius the man and his music, his personal life and creative work, is explored, with new revelations emerging from sketches, diaries, and letters. Price indication: $ 65.00

Gerald Abraham Music Of Sibelius (Music Book Index) Reprint Services Corp, 1947; ISBN 0781296218 Price indication: $ 79.00

Glenda Daw Goss Jean Sibelius (Composer Resource Manuals) Routledge, 1997; ISBN 0815311710; 328 pages This book is a comprehensive annotated bibliography of writings about the life, times, and music of Jean Sibelius (1865-1957). Over 1,000 sources in 11 different languages are represented, from the earliest writings, which appeared in the 1890s, to studies published through 1994. Historical information and background are supplied together with an indication of the reliability of each source. Translations of studies into English, German, and French are noted, particularly important in a field where so many items are in Finnish and Swedish. Introductory essays to each section discuss Sibelius in different contexts: for example, vis--vis his contemporaries in Scandinavia, in relation to folk music, in reception history, and in the scholarly literature. Individual musical compositions have their own sections with bibliography. Comprehensive indexes cover the musical works, authors, and people and subjects mentioned. Index. Price indication: $ 106.00

Robert Layton Sibelius (Master Musicians) J M Dent & Sons Ltd, 1978; ISBN 0460031694; 224 pages Price indication: $ 17.95

Karl Ekman Jean Sibelius Hesperides Press, 2006; ISBN 140673361X Price indication: $ 29.95

Robert Layton Sibelius and his world (Pictorial Biography) Thames & Hudson, 1970; ISBN 0500130264 Price indication: (used only): from $ 9.00

Karl EKMAN Jean Sibelius Alfred A. Knopf, 1938 Price indication: (used only): from $ 4.50

Sheet music, libretti, etc.

Duo for Violin and Viola (1891-92) - Boosey and Hawkes

Finlandia (2P8H) - Warner Bros Pubns
John W. Schaum has produced a very orchestral and dynamic transcription based on the famous symphonic piece of Jean Sibelius. With four pianists creating the depth and rich textures, rhythms and range of the orchestra, the full effect and glory of the original work are wonderfully reproduced for the listener.

Finlandia, Valse Triste and Other Works for Piano - Dover Publications
Finland’s greatest composer created imaginative, individualistic works for keyboard, drawing upon the wealth of folkloric traditions associated with his native land. This unique compilation presents of the best of Sibelius’ piano music in one convenient, inexpensive volume. Carefully chosen selections include original piano transcriptions by the composer of the tone poem Finlandia and Valse triste. Also featured: Six Impromptus, Sonata in F Major, Kyllikki (Three Lyric Pieces), Three Sonatinas, Two Rondinos, three flower pieces, five tree pieces, and assortment of six character pieces. Authoritative editions.<br>

Great Twentieth-Century Violin Concertos in Full Score : Sibelius, Elgar, Glazunov - Dover Publications
Three of the most popular modern violin concertos, reproduced from authoritative European and Russian editions: Sibelius’ Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op. 47—among the most played and recorded of all violin concertos; Elgar’s Violin Concerto in B Minor, Op. 61, a ravishing combination of bravura and sweetness; and Glazunov’s Violin Concerto in A Minor, Op. 82, a masterpiece of lyricism and virtuosity. Instrumentation.<br>

Jean Sibelius: Rondo: (1893) Viola and Piano, First Edition - Fennica Gehrman

Music Minus One Violin: Sibelius Violin Concerto in D minor, op. 47 (Book & CD) - Music Minus One
Perform timeless Violin works with a full orchestra! Perfect for practice, rehearsal, auditions, contest solos, performances, and more! Sibelius' 20th-century masterpiece is unique in its beauty, and is a favorite in concert halls worldwide, with its Scandinavian Romantic themes. A must for the serious violinist! <P>Includes a high-quality printed music score and a compact disc containing a complete version with soloist, in split-channel stereo (soloist on the right channel); then a second version in full stereo of the orchestral accompaniment, minus you, the soloist. <P>MMO CD 3144 <BR>Performed by Geoffrey Applegate, violin <BR>Accompaniment: Vienna Symphony Orchestra <BR>Conductor: Franz Litschauer

Scene With Cranes Op44/2 Full Sc - Boosey and Hawkes

String Quartet Op. 56 - Eulenburg (Schott)

Suite in E Major (1888): for Violin and Piano - Boosey and Hawkes

Symphonies 1 and 2 in Full Score - Dover Publications
Finland’s greatest composer and a major figure in the development of Scandinavian music, Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) is revered in Western music for his mastery of symphonic forms and orchestral scoring. Sibelius’ first two symphonies remain among his most accessible and popular. These two masterly works are reprinted here from the definitive full-score editions published by Breitkopf & Härtel of Leipzig.<br>

Symphonies Nos. 3 and 4 in Full Score - Dover Publications
"It is hard to think of any music in which the composer is more spontaneous and masterful, and uncompromising in his thought."--Olin Downes, <i>Thompson's International Cyclopedia.</i> These revolutionary works brought a strikingly organic--almost architectural--unity to the symphony that music historians recognized as being far in advance of anything in the classical masters. Planted with seeds of change already evident in the beautiful, dark third symphony, the fourth symphony presented the most individual work in this form that the twentieth century had yet witnessed. Harmonically new, boldly innovative, and structured on a subtle continuity of line, this was a kind of music previously unheard in the concert hall. Austere and intensely concentrated, Sibelius's symphonies of 1907 and 1911 are frequently performed around the world by major orchestras.<br>

Symphony No. 2 in d Major, Op. 43 (Dover Miniature Scores) - Dover Publications
Finland’s greatest composer, Sibelius was a master of symphonic forms and orchestral scoring. His genius for thematic development and formal structure is nowhere more evident than in his second symphony. A staple of the orchestral repertoire, it is reproduced here from the authoritative Breitkopf & Härtel edition.<br>

Symphony No. 5 in E-Flat Major, Op. 82, in Full Score - Dover Publications
Distinguished by a simplicity and lucidity that has made it one of Sibelius’ most popular works, the Fifth Symphony, according to Grove’s, "is simply in its most characteristic manifestations, unlike any other music." Popular with concert audiences for its rich, deeply stirring score, the work is reprinted here unabridged from the original 1921 full-score edition.<br>

Tone Poems in Full Score - Dover Publications
Full orchestral scores of Finlandia, Valse Triste, The Swan of Tuonela, Lemminkainen’s Return, En Saga, Pohjola’s Daughter, Night Ride and Sunrise, and The Oceanides. Masterly compositions reveal the Finnish composer’s great gifts for thematic development and formal structure, as well as his ability to infuse his music with strong, tightly reined emotion. Reproduced directly from authoritative German editions. Table of contents. List of instruments.<br>

Violin Concerto, Op. 47: in D minor - Eulenburg (Schott)