SIBELIUS JEAN: (1865-1957)

SIBELIUS JEAN: (1865-1957) Finnish Composer. Widely considered Finland´s greatest composer, and often credited with having developed a national identity through his music at the time of independence from Russia. A rare and lengthy A.L.S., Jean Sibelius, two pages, folio, Järvenpää, 5th May 1905, to Robert Lienau, in German. Sibelius sends a very interesting letter to his editor about his works, explaining that he is sending him the orchestral musical score of Pelléas & Mélisande and a small Romance for string orchestra, commenting that the Pelléas' piano arrangements will be available very soon. Sibelius asks his correspondent if he will also want the `Lied von Mélisande´ (''aria of Mélisande'') because since his score was in Swedish, he crossed out the song. He further confirms that he will send, arranged for piano, the song in French, German and Swedish, and this way Lienau will be able to print it in the way he wishes. Further again Sibelius states `The founder of the National Theatre has left his post due to his advanced age, and a big festival has been organized in his honour. I have been chosen as first composer for the festival. I have composed a Cortège…´ which he says will soon send to Lienau, together with his Violin Concerto, and adds that he will also send `…two choirs, one in Finnish and the other in Swedish; the one in Finnish is taken from the national epic of Kalevala´ Before concluding Sibelius states that all these works are already old and that he will do something new and good for Lienau before the fall. Beneath his signature and as a postscriptum, Sibelius suggests naming Pelléas's music ''Entr'acte Musik''. Paper with a Handgjord Post Lessebo watermark with crowned monogram. With two binder holes to the left edge, not affecting the text or signature. G to VG