2015 will mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sibelius

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http://sibelius150.org/en/info/

The year 2015 will mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of the great Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. Events during the jubilee year will include the XI International Jean Sibelius Violin Competition, an international conference for Sibelius scholars, and the annual Sibelius festivals.

Jean Sibelius (8.12.1865–20.9.1957) is far more than the composer of seven symphonies, a violin concerto, Finlandia and Valse triste – he also wrote a wealth of chamber music suitable for musicians both young and old, songs, and music for different types of choirs. His tone poems and music for the stage add variety to the concert programmes of symphony orchestras. Sibelius’s long life was a great adventure we would like to tell you about as his 150th anniversary approaches.

Sibelius Society of Finland
The Sibelius Birthtown Foundation

see link above

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The III International Sibelius Singing Competition in Järvenpää, April 19 – 25, 2015

Jean Sibelius wrote more than a hundred solo songs. The International Sibelius Singing Competition aims to keep these treasures in the core vocal repertoire. Jean Sibelius lived at his Ainola home in Järvenpää for over 50 years. It is thus natural for the Sibelius Singing Competition to be held at the Sibelius Hall in Järvenpää.

Read more: Sibelius Singing Competition
Sibelius & Korpo Music Festival in the archipelago, July 16 – 19, 2015

An annual festival focusing on Sibelius’s chamber music is held on the little island of Korpo in the southwest Finland archipelago. So far over 200 works by him have been performed. The main concert venue is the old Korpo stone church dating from the 1430s.
Sibelius Festival at the Sibelius Hall in Lahti, August 31 – September 6, 2015

BBC Symphony Orchestra (London) to make guest appearance at the Lahti Symphony Orchestra’s Sibelius Festival in 2015.
Kamu, Vänskä, Saraste, Oramo and Segerstam will conduct at the festival.
The XI International Jean Sibelius Violin Competition, November 22 – December 3, 2015

One of the world’s leading music competitions, the International Jean Sibelius Violin Competition was first held in 1965 and is organised by the Sibelius Society of Finland and the Sibelius Academy. Each of the rounds includes both compulsory and optional works. The finalists must play the Sibelius Violin Concerto and another concerto of their choice. The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra and the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra accompany the finalists.
The VI International Jean Sibelius Conference in Hämeenlinna, December 4 – 8, 2015

Sibelius scholars from all over the world meet every five years. The conference will next be in the composer’s home town, Hämeenlinna, in honour of the anniversary.
Sibelius Website by Finnish Broadcasting Company

http://yle.fi/sibelius150

Jean Sibelius (1865-1957), Illustrated by Lasse Rantanen

http://sibelius150.org/