Its a curious thing about much of Sibelius's music. If you try to set the volume control of yout Cd or record player to a reasonable level, as in a piece like shall we say 'En saga' in consideration of other people present--the music from being the quietest pianisimo will suddenly blast out and almost shake the room. I must admit that as with Sibelius and Tapkaara, I invariably play my music much to loud. Luckily I have the use of a 'music' room upstairs so I can let rip to my hearts content. -kp

This is a good topic for discussion in and of itself, so I've created a thread here called "How do you listen to Sibelius and other music?":

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Nice view across the gardens.

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Quiet spot.

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Here we see the stove in the sauna.

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This is a novel way to heat bathwater. After the water gets hot in the tub, ladle it into the trough at the top, which then runs into the tub which stands at the other side of the wall.-kp

Such great photos, Pete. For someone who has never been to Ainola it is a treat to see these.

Hot water, I'd imagine, was very important at Ainola during the Finnish winter...!

Again, no running water. So, where did they get their water? A well? Lake?

There is a picture of the well about 3/4 of the way down on page 1 of this thread.

Hahaha...thanks Kurki. I guess I overlooked that big time!

I'm sure the water from that well was "pure spring water..!"

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Looking across the Dining room towards the fireplace.

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View from Dining room to Living room.

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Here we see the master standing by the fireplace.

On the two occasions that I have been privileged to visit Villa Ainola I have always felt the powerful presence of Sibelius.--kp

Me too, and somehow in that context I always envisage him as being about 70 years old (though it would be quite legitimate to imagine him as much older, or indeed much younger).

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The upstairs vestibule is reached via the stairs in the Dining room. On the stairs is a cupboard which Sibelius's daughters called the 'Fox Burrow'. This cupboard and another in the study upstairs housed the masters cigar boxes.

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J.S. began to sleep downstairs in the 1940's when he began to have trouble climbing the stairs, and the bedroom was left to Aino.

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This lovely picture seems a good place to wish forum members greetings of the season.--kp

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Another good view looking across the gardens

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The garden was Aino Sibelius's favorite work and hobby. Above we see Aino in the greenhouse. The Sibelius's had vegetables, berries and fruits from their garden.

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On the wall is a sleigh Rug. The year 1841 is woven into it. This refers to the year that Sibelius's mother was born.

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Above we see two paintings 'Bouquet' an oil by Werner V. Hausen and below 'Aino Sibelius' painted by her brother Eero Jarnefelt around 1908.

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Above the door is an early landscape by Eero Jarnefelt, on the right a charcoal of a person listening to a waterfall by Axel Gallen. Above this is a congratulatory wreath from the Finnish people to Sibelius at 85. On the left of the door you might be able to make out a small African stringed instrument given to Sibelius by a friend.

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Here is a drawing of Sibelius by Albert Edelfelt from 1904.

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Here we see a very beautiful unsigned oil painting of a girl. It is by Eero Jarnefelt portraying his sister Aino, probably sitting on the shore of Lake Kallavesi around 1885.

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Under the wall clock is a photo of Aino's mother Elisabeth.

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;The Cortege' by Oscar Paviainen, one of Sibelius's favourite paintings.
kp

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Above, views of the kitchen at Ainola. In 1892 Aino, newly wed asked Janne about his favourite food. Sibelius replied 'Champagne and Oysters'. He would usually have to dine out to get these.-kp

Just reading through this thread has made me very deeply wish once again to go to Finland. Just thinking of those gorgeous photos of the forests and lakes send shivers down my spine. Truly gorgeous.

And seeing Kp's photographs around Ainola are most enlightening as well. This summer is very very full... hopefully some summer or another I'll get around to it. I'm graduating from high school next summer. Maybe sometime during college I'll get to go to Europe, study abroad or something. Who knows...

I'm certainly looking forward to seeing Ainola with my own eyes in September. I will feel like I am going to church or something like that. Perhaps members of this forum that have already been can make some comments about how they felt the first time they set foot on Sibbe's estate...

Feeling there was really a special. My both brothers live less than 10 km from there, and I will be visiting them this weekend, maybe I go to Ainola too...

In June 1997 I booked my holiday of a lifetime, a ten day tour of Finland taking in St Petersburg. The main purpose of my trip was to see the Sibelian sights and especially Ainola. It was a glorious summers day and really warm when my wife and I stepped off the bus from Helsinki and walked the short distance to Villa Ainola. Even has we walked through the gates into the grounds my heart was thumping with expectancy. We made our way across the path surrounded by tall birch trees, bird song filled the air and it was clear to me just what this place meant to Sibelius in gaining inspiration for much of his music. I will never forget my first view of the house. There was something very harmonious, calm and atmospheric. What was it Sibelius said 'At Ainola the silence speaks'. Walking up to the entrance steps I could almost see Sibelius waving goodbye to the famous conductor or singer. To actually walk through the rooms were the Sibelius's had lived in for so many years is something to cherish. In my case it was akin to a religious experience, not least when we stood by the gravestone of Jean and Aino. I have since made the pilgrimage in 2005 but my first visit will always be very special, to stroll through the gardens with Sibelius's music in the air and to breath in that music has been the greatest experience of my life.--kp

A great account, Pete.

When I am there in September, I myself anticipate it being something of a religious experience for me, too. I will be quite shocked to be standing on the ground where one of my heroes lived and worked. It will be unreal.

I'll be certain to take some photos and share them with you all.

I will certainly look forward to that plus your report of the Lahti Fest. I do have lots of treasured photo's of my times in Finland including film footage of myself walking in the gardens at Ainola. I would love to post some on the forum but at the moment I don't have the technical know-how.- --kp

Best regards from Ainola. Yesterday it was a Museum day in Finland and the entrance was free. It was really nice weather, warm and sun was shining. I was there with my two teenagers and my brother, horn player in Helsinki Phil, with his kids aged 9,7,5, and 3.

My children have been there befofe and my daughter allready remembers all details better than I. After hearing symphonies several times, she will be an expert some day.

You lucky people!

Whenever I go to foreign fields I always pick up a small stone or shell to bring back with me as a momento of my visit. One of my most treasured keep-sakes is a small piece of rockery from the garden at Ainola. Perhaps Sibelius has walked close by it. kp