Introduction Early Life A Decision on his Career Marriage to Aino Life at Villa Ainola World War I Money Troubles Retirement from music Later Years Death -------------------- Conclusion Famous Pieces - Home - Sign Guestbook

Jean Sibelius was born in December 8th 1865 in Hameenlinna, a small garrison north of Helsinki. His father died in a cholera epidemic when he was two years old, and heavily in debt, the family (mother and 3 children) went to live in the house of his maternal grandmother.

At the age of 5, "Janne", as he was called sat at the piano and played little melodies and chords on it. Soon after that he learnt the violin, and together with his sister Linda, who played the piano and Christian who played the cello, the little Sibelius' soon made a piano trio (right).

Janne came from a Swedish-speaking family, but he went to a Finnish-speaking school. This way, he became familiar with the heritage and culture of the Finnish language. At school he was often dreaming, but by 1885 he took the matriculation examination and left school.