Jean Sibelius
Composer
Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (8 December 8, 1865 – 20 September 20, 1957) wrote lush Romantic music that went against the grain of many 20th-century modernists. He is Finland’s most famous composer; his birthday became a national holiday, and he is credited with having helped to galvanize the Fins in their struggle for independence from Russia.
His most famous music includes Finlandia (which was outlawed by the Russian overlords), the Karelia Suite, his Violin Concerto, Valse triste, The Swan of Tuonela (from the Lemminkäinen Suite) and his seven symphonies. He wrote more than a hundred songs; incidental music for plays, choral works, chamber music, piano music and more.
He wrote almost nothing for the last 30 years of his life. Nevertheless, his face appeared on Finnish currency until it was replaced by the Euro in 2002.