Canon
Where to start with Sibelius
Essential works to know this composer by — spread across their styles-
OrchestralEn Saga, op. 9
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ChamberString Quartet in D minor, op. 56, "Voces intimae"
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Keyboard10 Bagatelles, op. 34
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Vocal2 Partsongs, for male chorus, op. 108
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OrchestralFinlandia, op. 26
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OrchestralSymphony no. 2 in D major, op. 43
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OrchestralSymphony no. 5 in E flat major, op. 82
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OrchestralViolin Concerto in D minor, op. 47
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OrchestralKarelia Suite, op. 11
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OrchestralKullervo, symphonic poem for vocal soloists, male chorus and orchestra, op. 7
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OrchestralLemminkäinen Suite: 4 Legends from the Kalevala, op. 22
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OrchestralLuonnotar, for voice and orchestra, op. 70
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OrchestralPohjola's Daughter, symphonic fantasy, op. 49
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OrchestralSymphony no. 3 in C major, op. 52
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OrchestralSymphony no. 4 in A minor, op. 63
Listening guide
Hand-curated paths into Sibelius's catalogueMost Popular
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Violin Concerto in D minor
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Finlandia
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Symphony No. 2 in D major
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Valse Triste
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The Swan of Tuonela
Most Acclaimed
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Symphony No. 7 in C major (single movement)
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Tapiola (tone poem)
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String Quartet in D minor ”Voces Intimae”
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Symphony No. 4 in A minor
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Symphony No. 6 in D minor
Most Weird
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Symphony No. 4 in A minorhis most abstract — 30 minutes, almost no tunes, tritones everywhere; when premiered it confused and alienated audiences
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Tapiolathe forest god — the entire piece grows from one thematic seed; the forest storm sequence is terrifying
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Symphony No. 7one unbroken single movement — his last symphony; after it he lived 30 more years and wrote nothing substantial (the ”Ainola silence”)
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Luonnotartone poem for soprano + orchestra — Finnish creation myth; the soprano part is extreme
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Symphony No. 6the most austere — polyphonic, modal; he said ”while others offer cocktails, I offer cold water”
Similar composers
Same era, overlapping styles — by genre & period affinityWorks 389
- Orchestral
- ● En Saga, op. 9
- ● Finlandia, op. 26
- ● Symphony no. 2 in D major, op. 43
- ● Symphony no. 5 in E flat major, op. 82
- ● Violin Concerto in D minor, op. 47
- ● Karelia Suite, op. 11
- Kullervo, symphonic poem for vocal soloists, male chorus and orchestra, op. 7
- Lemminkäinen Suite: 4 Legends from the Kalevala, op. 22
- Luonnotar, for voice and orchestra, op. 70
- Pohjola's Daughter, symphonic fantasy, op. 49
- Symphony no. 3 in C major, op. 52
- Symphony no. 4 in A minor, op. 63
- Symphony no. 7 in C major, op. 105
- Tapiola, op. 112
- 2 Earnest Melodies, for violin and orchestra, op. 77
- 2 Pieces, op. 45
- 2 Serenades for Violin and Orchestra, op. 69
- 3 Pieces, op. 96
- 3 Scènes Historiques II, op. 66
- 3 Scènes historiques I, op. 25
- 4 Pieces, for viola and orchestra, op. 78
- 6 Humoresques for Violin and Orchestra, op. 87 and 89
- Academic March
- Autrefois, for orchestra and 2 voices ad lib, op. 96b
- Belshazzar's Feast, op. 51
- Canzonetta, op. 62a
- Cassazione, op. 6
- Cortège
- Dance Intermezzo, op. 45, no. 2
- Everyman, for vocal soloists, chorus, piano, organ and orchestra, op. 83
- Finland Awakes
- Impromptu in B minor, op. 5, no. 5
- In Memoriam, funeral march, op. 59
- Karelia Overture, op. 10
- Karelia, for voices and orchestra
- King Christian II, for voice and orchestra, op. 27
- King Christian II, orchestral suite, op. 27
- Kuolema, op. 44
- Kuolema, op. 62
- March of the Björneborgers
- Morceau romantique
- Night Ride and Sunrise, op. 55
- Overture in A minor
- Overture in E
- Pan and Echo, op. 53a
- Pelléas et Mélisande, op. 46
- Pelléas et Mélisande, op. 46
- Press Celebration Music
- Presto in D
- Rakastava, for string orchestra, triangle, and timpani, op. 14
- Rakastava, suite for string orchestra, triangle and timpani, op. 14
- Romance, op. 42
- Scaramouche, incidental music for a tragic pantomime for piano and orchestra, op. 71
- Scène de Ballet
- Spring Song, op. 16
- Suite caractéristique, for harp and strings, op. 100
- Suite champêtre, op. 98b
- Suite for Violin and String Orchestra, op. 117
- Suite mignonne, for 2 flutes and strings, op. 98a
- Swanwhite, op. 54
- Swanwhite, op. 54
- Symphony no. 1 in E minor, op. 39
- Symphony no. 6 in D minor, op. 104
- The Bard, op. 64
- The Countess's Portrait, tableau music for accordion and string orchestra
- The Dryad, op. 45, no. 1
- The Oceanides, op. 73
- The Tempest Op.109
- The Tempest: Suite no. 1, op. 109, no. 2
- The Tempest: Suite no. 2, op. 109, no. 3
- The Water Sprite, JS 138
- The Wood Nymph, op. 15
- Wedding March
- Chamber
- String Quartet in D minor, op. 56, "Voces intimae"
- 2 Earnest melodies, op. 77
- 2 Pieces for Violin and Piano, op. 2
- 3 Pieces for Violin and Piano, op. 116
- 33 Small Pieces, for string quartet
- 4 Pieces for Violin and Piano, op. 115
- 4 Pieces for Violin and Piano, op. 78
- 4 Themes, for string quartet
- 5 Danses Champétres, op. 106
- 5 Pieces for Violin and Piano, op. 81
- 6 Pieces for Violin and Piano, op. 79
- A Happy Musician, for solo violin
- Adagio and Fugue in D minor, for string quartet
- Adagio in D minor
- Alla marcia in C major, for piano trio
- Alla marcia, for string quartet, JS 16
- Allegretto in A
- Allegretto in A flat major, for piano trio
- Allegretto in A major, JS.17 and Più lento in F major, JS.149, for string quartet
- Allegretto in A major, for solo violin, JS deest
- Allegretto in B flat major, for string quartet
- Allegretto in C
- Allegretto in C major, JS 19
- Allegretto in D major, for string quartet, JS 20
- Allegretto in E flat major
- Allegretto in E flat major, JS 22
- Allegretto in E flat major, for piano trio
- Allegretto in G
- Allegretto in G major, JS 86
- Allegro in C major, for piano trio
- Allegro in D major, for piano trio, JS 27
- Allegro in D minor, for piano trio
- Allegro in E minor, for string quartet, JS 28
- Allegro in F minor, for string quartet, JS 14
- Allegro in G minor, for string quartet
- Allegro, for brass septet and triangle in E flat minor
- Andante Festivo, for string quartet, JS 34a
- Andante and Allegro molto in D major, for string quartet, JS 32
- Andante and Allegro, for piano quintet, JS 31
- Andante cantabile in G
- Andante elegiaco in F sharp minor
- Andante grazioso in D
- Andante molto in C major, JS 49
- Andante molto in F minor, for cello and piano, JS 36
- Andante molto sostenuto in B minor, for string quartet, JS 37
- Andante sostenuto in E major, JS deest
- Andante, Adagio and Allegro maestoso, for piano trio
- Andantino in A major, for piano trio
- Andantino in A minor
- Andantino in C major, for cello and piano, JS 40
- Andantino in C major, for string quartet, JS 39
- Andantino in G minor, for piano trio, JS 43
- Aubade in A
- Duo in C major, for violin and viola, JS 66
- Fuga for Martin Wegelius, for string quartet, JS 85
- Grave in D minor
- Impromptu in G minor, for solo violin, JS deest
- Impromptu, for chamber orchestra, op. 87a
- Interludium and Maestoso in C minor, JS deest
- La pompeuse Marche d'Asis, for piano trio, JS 116
- Largamente in E minor
- Larghetto in D minor
- Lento in E flat major, for cello and piano, JS 76
- Lento in E flat minor, JS 76
- Ljunga Wirginia, quartet for violin, cello and piano 4-hands
- Maestoso in C minor
- Malinconia, for cello and piano, op. 20
- Mazurka in A
- Mazurka in A major, JS 4
- Mazurka in C major, for solo violin, JS deest
- Menuetto in D minor
- Menuetto in D minor, for piano trio
- Menuetto in E minor
- Menuetto in F major, for 2 violins and piano, JS 126
- Moderato in A minor, for piano trio
- Moderato-Allegro Appassionato in C sharp minor, for string quartet, JS 131
- Moderato-Maestoso in E flat major, for violin and piano, JS 132
- Molto Moderato - Scherzo, for string quartet, JS 134
- Nights of Jealousy, recitation for speaker, violin, viola, cello and piano, JS 125
- Novellette, op. 102
- Oh, if you had seen, recitation for speaker and piano, JS 141
- Overture in F minor for Brass Septet, JS 146
- Petite Suite, for brass septet
- Piano Quartet in C minor, JS 156
- Piano Quartet in D minor, JS 157
- Piano Quintet in G minor, JS 159
- Piano Trio in A minor, JS 206
- Piano Trio in A minor, JS 207, "Hafträsk"
- Piano Trio in C, JS 208, "Lovisa Trio"
- Piano Trio in D minor, JS 209
- Prelude, for brass septet
- Presto in A minor
- Presto in D major, for string quartet
- Presto in F major, for string quartet, JS 154
- Quartet for Violin, Cello, Harmonium and Piano in G minor, JS 158
- Rondo in D major, for viola and piano, JS 162
- Scherzino in F
- Scherzo in B minor, for string quartet
- Scherzo in E major, for violin, cello and piano 4-hands, JS 165
- Sonata Allegro Exposition in A minor, JS 26
- Sonata movement in D
- Sonatina in E major, op. 80
- String Quartet in A minor, JS 183
- String Quartet in B flat major, op. 4
- String Quartet in E flat major, JS 184
- String Trio in G minor
- Suite in D minor
- Suite in A for String Trio
- Suite in E major, JS 188
- Tempo di valse in A
- Tempo di valse in B minor, JS 89
- Tempo di valse, for cello and piano, JS 194
- The Lonely Ski Trail, recitation for speaker, harp and strings, JS 77a
- Theme and Variations in C sharp minor, for string quartet, JS 195
- Theme and Variations in D minor, for solo cello, JS 196
- Theme and Variations in G minor, for string quartet, JS 197
- Tiera, tone poem for brass septet and percussion
- Trio in G major, for 2 violins and piano, JS 205
- Violin Sonata in A minor
- Violin Sonata in F major, JS 178
- Vivace, for piano quintet
- Water Droplets, for violin and cello
- Étude in D major, JS 55
- Keyboard
- 10 Bagatelles, op. 34
- 10 Little Pieces, op. 34
- 10 Pensées Lyriques, op. 40
- 10 Pieces, op. 24
- 10 Pieces, op. 58
- 11 Variations on a harmonic formula in D
- 13 Pieces, op. 76
- 2 Pieces for Organ, op. 111
- 2 Rondinos, op. 68
- 3 Fugal Expositions in D minor
- 3 Sonatinas, op. 67
- 4 Lyric Pieces, op. 74
- 5 Characteristic Impressions, op. 103
- 5 Esquisses, op. 114
- 5 Morceaux romantiques, op. 101
- 5 Pieces for Piano Op.75, "The Trees"
- 5 Pieces, op. 85, "The Flowers"
- 6 Bagatelles, op. 97
- 6 Finnish Folk Songs
- 6 Impromptus, op. 5
- 6 Pieces, op. 94
- 8 Pieces, op. 99
- A Catalogue of Themes, 50 pieces
- Adagio in C
- Adagio in D major, JS 11
- Allegretto in B flat minor, JS 18
- Allegretto in E major, JS 21
- Allegretto in F major, JS 23
- Allegretto in G minor, JS 225
- Allegretto in G minor, JS 24
- Allegro in G minor
- Andante cantabile in E flat major, for piano and harmonium, JS 30b
- Andante in E flat major, JS 30a
- Andante ma non troppo lento in C sharp minor
- Andantino in B flat major
- Andantino in B major, JS 44
- Andantino in C
- Andantino in E major, JS 41
- At Twilight, JS 47
- Caprizzio in B flat major
- Con moto, sempre una corda in D flat major, JS 52
- Etude, op. 76
- Florestan, suite, JS 82
- Interludium in C minor
- King Christian II, op. 27
- Kyllikki: 3 Lyric Pieces, op. 41
- Largamente in D minor
- Largo in A major, JS 117
- Lento in E major, JS 119
- Mandolinata
- Marche triste, JS 124
- Menuetto in A minor, JS 5
- Menuetto in B flat major
- Menuetto in F sharp major
- Minun kultani kaunis on
- Moderato-Presto in D minor, JS 133
- Piano Sonata in F major, op. 12
- Piece in A flat major, JS 46
- Piece in E flat major, JS 74
- Piece in F minor
- Piece in F minor
- Più lento: Tempo di valse in E flat major, JS 150
- Polka 'Aino' in C minor
- Polka in E flat major, JS 75
- Postludium, for organ
- Preludium, for organ in F
- Scherzo in E major, JS 134K1a
- Scherzo in E major, JS 134K1b
- Scherzo in F sharp minor, JS 164
- Sonata Allegro Exposition and Development Section in D minor
- Sonata Allegro Exposition in C major, JS 179b
- Sonata Allegro Exposition in C minor, JS 179d
- Sonata Allegro Exposition in F minor, JS 179a
- Sonata Allegro in E major, JS 179c
- Song of the Athenians, op. 31, no. 3
- Spagnuolo
- Tempo di valse in A major, JS 2
- The Cavalier, JS 109
- To Longing
- Valse lyrique, op. 96a
- Valse triste, op. 44
- Valse à Betsy Lerche in A flat major, JS 1
- Vivace in D minor, JS 221
- Vivace in E flat major
- Waltz in D flat major
- Waltz in D minor
- Waltz in E
- Yearning: The Mystery of the Sighs, suite
- Vocal
- 2 Partsongs, for male chorus, op. 108
- 2 Songs, op. 35
- 3 Choral Songs, for chorus and orchestra, op. 31
- 3 Introductory Antiphons, for chorus and organ, op. 107
- 3 Songs for American Schools, for children's chorus and piano
- 5 Christmas Songs, op. 1
- 5 Partsongs, for male chorus, op. 84
- 5 Songs, op. 37
- 5 Songs, op. 38
- 6 Partsongs, for male chorus, op. 18
- 6 Songs, op. 36
- 6 Songs, op. 50
- 6 Songs, op. 72
- 6 Songs, op. 86
- 6 Songs, op. 88
- 6 Songs, op. 90
- 7 Songs of Runeberg, op. 13
- 7 Songs, op. 17
- 8 Songs, op. 57
- 8 Songs, op. 61
- 9 Songs for Chorus, op. 23
- 9 Songs, op. 23
- A Child Is Born Unto Us, JS 142
- Arioso, for voice and orchestra, op. 3
- Birthday Song for Grandmother
- Cantata for the Coronation of Nicholas II, for chorus and orchestra
- Cantata for the Helsinki University Ceremonies of 1894, for chorus and orchestra, JS105
- Cantata for the Helsinki University Ceremonies of 1897, for vocal soloists, chorus and orchestra, op. 23
- Cantata, for female chorus
- Carminalia, 3 songs for chorus and piano
- Christmas Song, for children's chorus
- Come my Sweetheart
- Contrapuntal Exercises, for chorus
- Dreams
- En visa, JS 71
- Ensam i dunkla skogarnas famn
- Festive March
- Fridolin's Folly, for male chorus
- God's Blessing, JS 95
- Have You Courage?, for male chorus
- Herr du bist ein fels, chorale for chorus and orchestra
- Herr erzeige uns deine Gnade, chorale for chorus and orchestra
- How pale it all is
- Hymn in Praise of the Lord, for chorus and orchestra
- Hymn of the Earth, cantata for voices and orchestra, op. 95
- Hymn to Thaïs, the Unforgettable
- Hymnus: Natus in curas, for male chorus, op. 21
- Imagine, see how the bird swoops
- Impromptu: 'Thou who guidest the Stars', for female chorus and orchestra, op. 19
- In the Moonlight, for male chorus
- In the Morning Mist, for children's chorus
- Jonas' Journey, for male chorus
- Karelia's Fate, patriotic march for male chorus and piano
- Kullervo's Lament
- Les trois soeurs aveugles, op. 46, no. 4
- Listen to the Water Mill, for unison chorus, JS 122
- March of the Jaegers, for male chorus and piano, op. 91a
- March of the Workers
- Masonic Ritual Music, for male chorus and organ, op. 113
- Narcissus — Song
- Nejden andas, for children's chorus
- Nostalgia, for female chorus
- Not with Lamentations, for chorus, JS 69
- Oh do you hear, Miss Gyellengborg?
- Orgies
- Our Native Land, cantata for chorus and orchestra, op. 92
- People of Land and Sea, op. 65a
- Play, pretty maiden, for voice and chorus
- Primary School Children's March, for children's chorus
- Resemblence
- Row, Row Duck
- Sailing
- Sandels, improvisation for male chorus and orchestra, op. 28
- School Song
- Scout March, op. 91b
- Serenad, JS 167
- Snöfrid, improvisation for reciter, male voices, and orchestra, op. 29
- Song of Exile, for male chorus
- Song of the Athenians, op. 31, no. 3
- Song of the Earth, for chorus and orchestra, op. 93
- Tanken, duo for 2 voices and piano, "The Thought"
- Terve ruhtinatar, for children's chorus, JS 104
- The Bells of Kallio Church, op. 65b
- The Breaking of the Ice on the River Oulu, improvisation for reciter, male chorus and orchestra, op. 30
- The Bridge Guard, for male chorus
- The Captive Queen, cantata for chorus and orchestra, op. 48
- The Fool's Song of the Spider, op. 27, no. 4
- The Little Girls
- The Lofty Heaven, for chorus and organ
- The Lover
- The Origin of Fire, for voice, male chorus and orchestra, op. 32
- The Rapids-Shooter's Bride, for 2 voices and orchestra, op. 33
- The Song of the People of Uusimaa
- The Way to School, for children's chorus
- The World Song of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, for female childrens chorus and piano, op. 91b, no. 2
- To Thérèse Hahl
- Trettondagsafton, 2 incidental song settings, op. 60, "Twelfth Night"
- Up through the air, for chorus and piano
- Väinö's Song, cantata for chorus and orchestra, op. 110
- We Ask for Nothing Rich or Rare, for male chorus, op. 1, no. 4
- We praise Thee, Our Creator, op. 23, no. 6a
- When spring once more comes to life
- Where the Thrush Toils, JS 129
- Why, father, do you kiss my sweetheart here?, for female chorus and piano
- Stage
- The Maiden in the Tower — Opera