Finlandia

Short work for orch., Op.26, by Sibelius. Comp. 1899 as final tableau (Finland Awakes!) of nationalist pageant to raise money for a press pension fund in Helsinki (and to support press in its struggle to stay free from Tsarist pressure). Rev. 1900, when it was given title Finlandia, and f.p. Helsinki, July 1900. Its patriotic fervour, though no folk‐song material was used, led to its adoption as a symbol of Finnish nat. aspirations. F.p. in Eng. 1905 (Liverpool, cond. Bantock).