Few composers have enjoyed such critical acclaim or longevity as Jean Sibelius, who died in 1957 aged 91. Always more than simply a Finnish national figure, an 'apparition from the woods' as he ironically described himself, Sibelius's life spanned turbulent and tumultuous events, and his work is central to the story of late nineteenth and early twentieth-century music. This book situates Sibelius within a rich interdisciplinary environment, paying attention to his relationship with architecture, literature, politics and the visual arts. Drawing on the latest developments in Sibelius research, it is intended as an accessible and rewarding introduction for the general reader, and also offers a fresh and provocative interpretation for those more familiar with his music.

'A brief, thoughtful biography [and] a welcome addition to the literature on a creative master who continues to stand apart.' Tim Page, Wall Street Journal

'A wide-ranging yet taut narrative, in which the musical works are balanced with the life story. And while this is far from the first Sibelius biography, [Daniel M. Grimley] adds something new by meticulously drawing on relevant cultural, artistic, historical and political context.' BBC Music magazine