On June 1st 2009 the Sibelius Forum (www.sibelius.forumup.com) is celebrating its third anniversary. With almost a hundred members and well over 4000 contributions, the Forum has established itself as the foremost place on the internet for people to meet and discuss Jean Sibelius and his music. Anyone who has spent some time at the Forum will know that while the discussion is very professional, the members are always very friendly and open, especially when it comes to welcoming new participants who might be "Sibelius beginners". In short, no one need feel uncomfortable at the Sibelius Forum.

And yet, there is something at the Forum about which I have always felt a little uncomfortable: a word. It first appeared at the Forum on November 17th 2006, posted by Forum member "arenan" of the Helsinki Philharmonic. It is a simple word, but as I hadn't thought of it before, it was a word that stopped me dead in my tracks. This apparently innocent word, that has been repeated a whopping two-hundred-and-thirty-eight times at the Forum, was a term that I struggled with every time I heard it.

The word is "Sibelian".

When words like "Mahlerian", "Mozartian" or "Brucknerian" are used, they are most likely referring to elements of musical style that are associated with the given composer. Along those lines, a "Sibelian texture" could be one that involves pianissimo tremolos or a melody moving step-wise, suspended over a half-diminished-seventh chord. Or a "Sibelian motive" could be the S-Motive that Harry Miettunen is fond of, or perhaps a falling fifth at the end of a phrase. But when the word "Sibelian" appears at the Forum, an element of Sibelius' style is rarely the context in which the term is applied. Our members are talking about people.

A "Sibelian" is a person.

My initial discomfort came from my great reverence for Sibelius and his music. To me, the term originally sounded like an honourific, a title that only the priviledged few who have devoted their lives to Sibelius' music should be allowed to carry. In this vein it also required a special focus on Sibelius' music: if a musician is better known for interpretations of another composer's works or has an eclectic repertoire, he mustn't be considered a Sibelian. When the term began to be applied to listeners, in the sense that a concert-goer could be considered a "Sibelian", my scepticism grew. Parallel to these ideas, my inquietude was also rooted in the fact that I would personally never call myself a Sibelian and never have, nor have I ever used that term in a Forum discussion. I secretly longed to have someone else call me a Sibelian, although for a long time I felt unworthy of that distinction.

Then earlier this year I had a change of heart while reading an article about "Opera buffs", where "Wagner aficionados" mingled with "Mozart lovers" and "Verdi enthusiasts". It occured to me that to attach the suffix "-ian" to almost any other composer's name when describing his followers was somewhat trite if not meaningless. And by comparison, to say that one is a "Sibelius lover" sounds somewhat empty and vague. I had come to the conclusion that the only composer who's name could be applied in descriptive form to his most devoted listeners is indeed Sibelius. I realized that for those to whom Sibelius' music speaks, a special bond forms, an intimate relationship is forged and a new person is born: a Sibelian. And to call oneself a Sibelian is not boasting, it is more of a statement about Sibelius' music that about the individual. It is a testimony to the man who's art has changed our lives and souls, forever.

In this respect, for the first time ever I humbly state, That I am a Sibelian.

Are you?

First of all, many congrats to you, Kurki, and to this forum for sticking around for 3 years. This is THE place on the web to discuss Sibelius, and one of the best forums for classical music in general. You, with this forum, provide a valuable and unique service, and I'd like to thank you personally for keeping up the good work here.

Am I a Sibelian?

Yes! Yes! Yes!!!

I see your original point. The term "Sibelian" could have an air of pompousness to it if you think of it that way. In other words, "I am on a high level of understanding this man's music an you are not; I am part of an elite club." But, I would think (or at least hope) that in using a term like this to describe one's self, there really is not placing of one's self on a high throne overlooking the unwashed masses down below. I think it simply means, as you concluded in your post, that one has a special closeness with one of the world's most unique musical voices, no more, no less!

And let's face it: not everyone is a Sibelian. I do encounter quite a bit of ignorance on this composer, and sometimes down-right hostility. Do the ghosts of Leibowitz and Adorno somehow live on? Do voices like these still influence people's musical thinking from beyond the grave? I suppose anything is possible. Whatever the reason for people's distaste for Sibelius, it does exist.

Maybe Sibelius's music isn't the most "easy" music to become attached to. I suppose it isn't. Sibelius's sound exists in in own mysterious dimension. While certainly part of the general "classical music tradition," I feel this music also is seperate from it. Sibelius is truly one of the few composer's whose sound defies a quick, convenient description: is he Romantic? Nationalist? Post-Romantic? Post-Classical? 20th Century? Modernist? All of those things? None of those things? Who knows. I think the easiest way to describe him is just to to say: it is...Sibelius! This truly is the only description that fits his sound perfectly, without any room for error.

So, a "Sibelian" must be one who identifies with the Sibelius sound. What else could we call ourselves? I agree: terms live "Sibelius lover" don't really convet the message.

So yes, I am a Sibelian.

Congrats for three years!

Sibelius' music has always had a special meaning for me; at first a mystique that materialized as a deep connection to my innermost self. I've read about him, listened to his music for hours on end, discussed it on two separate forums and with people I know.

Yet still I don't feel quite comfortable calling myself a "Sibelian." I don't really have any idea why. It doesn't feel entirely correct or something. It's like I feel too young, like I have to internalize this music more still, see more performances of it and perform more music of this vein myself, and try to be more for it.

It's a difficult matter for a teenager to call oneself anything. It seems to carry more weight than it probably does. And I'm still there, so I'm going to delay in calling myself anything in particular for the moment. I have a feeling that, unlike being a Mahlerian or a Brucknerian or Mozartian or whatever, that Sibelius' music needs time to grow on one's personality, one's self; being a Sibelian is something to grow into being, not to just say one happens to like a few pieces one the flip of a dime and say "Hey, I'm a Sibelian now."

Ask me again when the fourth anniversary rolls around!

Tapkaara wrote:

First of all, many congrats to you, Kurki, and to this forum for sticking around for 3 years. This is THE place on the web to discuss Sibelius… "I am on a high level of understanding this man's music an you are not; I am part of an elite club." … placing of one's self on a high throne overlooking the unwashed masses down below.

I totally agree with the first part of the quote and add my own congrats as well. And yes, it goes without saying, I am one as well!
One might say: a Sibelian is someone who can hear the intimate voices.

As for the second part of the quote, being 'on a high throne overlooking the unwashed masses down below' may be regarded as an incidental benefit, I think.

Hahahaha...I really did laugh out loud. Oooh, the "benefits" of being a Sibelian...!

I like that...a Sibelian can hear the intimate voices. One could also say that, to a Sibelian, "silence speaks."

Can I offer my own congrats to maestro Kurki with the passing of the forums third anniversary. Yes, I think that I too can call myself a 'Sibelian'. I've loved this mans music for over fifty years and not just the music, the man himself commands deep devotion. With regard to the Sibelius forum, we all owe Kurki enormous debt and gratitude in having the foresight, born of his own love of the composer, to create this marvellous discussion group. A meeting place for seasoned Sibelians and anyone just discovering the deep joys of this wonderful music. Long may it continue. -kp

What is a Sibelian?

Could it be anyone that appreciates and understands the Fourth Symphony.--kp