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Portrait of Jean Sibelius

Jean Sibelius

(1865–1957) Composer Grand Duchy of Finland

22 quotes in 111 categories

Jean Sibelius was a composer from Grand Duchy of Finland, best known for Karelia.

Quick Facts About Jean Sibelius

Born: December 8, 1865
Died: September 20, 1957
Nationality: Grand Duchy of Finland
Profession: Composer
Notable works: Karelia
Known for: Violin Concerto, Andante Festivo, Finlandia, Kullervo, Valse triste
Spouse: Aino Sibelius

About Jean Sibelius

Jean Sibelius was a Finnish composer of the late Romantic and early modern periods. He is widely regarded as his country's greatest composer, and his music is often credited with having helped Finland develop a stronger national identity when the country was struggling from several attempts at Russification in the late 19th century.

Biography source: Wikipedia

Awards & Honors

Finnish Music Hall of Fame Honorary Member of the International Society for Contemporary Music Goethe Medal for Art and Science Wihuri Sibelius Prize Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour Commander of the Order of St. Olav Knight grand cross of the order of the crown of Italy commander of the Order of the Dannebrog

Show 5 more awards

Grand Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog Grand Cross of the Order of the White Rose of Finland Commander First Class of the Order of the White Rose of Finland Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal Commander 1st class of the Order of Vasa

Quotes by Jean Sibelius

Musicians talk of nothing but money and jobs. Give me businessmen every time. They really are interested in music and art

Art

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Whereas most other modern composers are engaged in manufacturing cocktails of every hue and description, I offer the public pure cold water.

Cocktails

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Pay no attention to what the critics say. A statue has never been erected in honor of a critic.

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If we understood the world, we would realize that there is a logic of harmony underlying its manifold apparent dissonances.

Dissonance

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Whereas most other modern composers are engaged in manufacturing cocktails of every hue and description, I offer the public cold spring water.

Cocktails

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Pay no attention to what the critics say; no statue has ever been erected to a critic.

Attention

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Music begins where the possibilities of language end.

Ends

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For me, music begins where words end.

Ends

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Millions of years ago, in my previous incarnations, I must have been related to swans... because I can still feel that affinity.

Affinity

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The framework of a symphony must be so strong that it forces you to follow it, regardless of the environment and circumstances.

Circumstances

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Pay no attention to what the critics say; no statue has ever been put up to a critic.

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Music is, for me, like a beautiful mosaic which God has put together. He takes all the pieces in his hand, throws…

Beautiful

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If I could express the same thing with words as with music, I would, of course, use a verbal expression. Music is…

Autonomous

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If you really put a small value upon yourself, rest assured that the world will not raise your price. Pay no attention…

Assured

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No one ever erected a statue of a critic.

Critics

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All the doctors who wanted to forbid me to smoke and to drink are dead,

Doctor who

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No statue has ever been put up to a critic.

Critics

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Music is on a higher plane than everything else in this world.

Higher

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“Pay no attention to what the critics say. A statue had never been erected in honor of a critic”

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It is so difficult to mix with artists! You must choose business men to talk to, because artists only talk of money.

Art

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For an instant God opens his door and His orchestra plays the Fifth Symphony,

Doors

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I often conduct an orchestra in my sleep; my orchestras are so huge that the back desks of the violas vanish into…

Desks

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