Jean Sibelius

Symphony No. 4 op. 63

In the fall of 1909 Sibelius wrote in his diary: “At Koli! One of the greatest impressions in my life. Plans [for] ‘La Montagne’!” These plans proved to be for the Fourth Symphony. The composition process was not an easy one and in the end – according to his diary – Sibelius was “struggling with God!” and only just able to finish the work in time for the premiere in spring 1911: “My new symphony is a total protest against present-day compositions. Nothing – absolutely nothing of the circus [in it].” This extraordinary work was at first found difficult to understand although its technical brilliance was recognized. The appreciation of the Fourth has, however, grown in the course of years.