Finlandia, Op. 26, No. 7
Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)

THE STORY: 

The best known of all of Sibelius’ works, Finlandia was composed for a protest in support of freedom of the Finnish press and against increased censorship from the Russian Empire. His goal was to create a work that was patriotic without directly using folk music.
      Due to its association with the protest, Finlandia was censored and had to be performed under alternative names (including Happy Feelings at the Awakening of Finnish Spring and Impromptu) until Finland gained independence from Russia after World War I.
      Finladia is rousing and turbulent, evoking the struggles of the Finnish people.  

LISTEN FOR:

• The ominous mood set by the brass and timpani at the opening

• A shift in character as the strings and woodwinds are added—becoming regal and eventually bright and festive

• A sense of calm that takes over as we hear the ending hymn (this hymn was later given words and became one of the most important national songs in Finland—it has also been sung with various words all over the world) 

INSTRUMENTATION:

Two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, three trumpets, three trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion, strings