I love Sibelius. I find his themes, motifs, melodies absolutely immersing. He was touted once as the heir to Beethoven and while I think Dvorak rightly deserves that title, in the 20th Century it’s hard to beat Sibelius.
I’m reading Alex Ross’s history of music in the 20th Century, The Rest Is Noise. It’s a fine book. Ross has a gift. Every once in a while I run across a piece of writing that is just begging to be shared. Today I read this, about the place where Sibelius lived.
…Ainola stands much as Sibelius left it. The atmosphere of the house is heavy and musty, as if the composer’s spirit were still pent up inside.Â