Music · 1865–1957
Born: 8 December 1865 · Died: 20 September 1957 · Age at death: 91
Jean Sibelius died aged 91. He was born on 8 December 1865 and died on 20 September 1957.
Finnish composer celebrated for his symphonies and the tone poem Finlandia
Did you know?His image appeared on the 100-markka banknote in Finland for many years before the country adopted the euro.
Jean Sibelius gave Finland a musical voice while it was still under Russian rule. Finlandia became an anthem of national pride. Its stirring melody was even sung with patriotic words. His symphonies grew ever more compressed and original. He fused a whole symphony into a single movement in his Seventh. Then, in the late 1920s, he fell almost silent. He is believed to have burned a draft Eighth Symphony. Finland still celebrates his birthday as a flag day.
Jean Sibelius (Finland Swedish:; born Johan Christian Julius Sibelius; 8 December 1865 – 20 September 1957) was a Finnish composer of the late Romantic and early modern periods.
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Profile
Finnish composer, born 1865
Jean Sibelius was born in Hämeenlinna on 8 December 1865.
He wrote Finlandia in 1899.
He composed seven symphonies.
He wrote almost nothing for his last 30 years.
Career highlights
Did you know?His face appeared on Finland's 100 markka note.
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Last reviewed: October 2026