I just received a used edition of Santeri Levas's SIBELIUS: A PERSONAL PORTRAIT. I've wanted to read this for a while and I'm glad I can now do so.

So far, it's excellent. Levas is quite a genial storyteller. It's such an easy, engaging read. I could have probably read the whole thing yesterday I was so into it, but I'm going to try to spread it out as much as I can.

This will be the 4th book on Sibelius that I have. The others are Andrew B's bio, Layton's bio and Ekman's bio. I suppose I really have 5 since somewhere in the house I have a little book that was published by Finland's Otava in the early 1950s (before his death!). It's in English, by the way.

I'm sure several of you have read Levas's book already...any personal thoughts on this text?

Levas book is one of the best and most facinating accounts of Life at Ainola, and reveals much about the great man. It is above all a personal story. We learn about Sibelius's attitude to the great masters and modern music, as a creative artist and much more. Its a great read.--kullervopete.