It is not known whether it was ever actually performed (which is why the performance of the quartet during the Sibelius Weeks in Järvenpää, September 2002, was claimed to be the first public performance). The piano quartet in D minor from August 1884 is reminiscent of Mendelssohn. Following Lobe's teachings, Sibelius composed a piano quartet and a piano trio. If Sibelius really did wade through the book, he must have acquired a knowledge of musical theory that was exceptional for a youth of his age. In February 1884, Janne got hold of Johann Christian Lobe's work Lehrbuch der musikalischen Composition, which he called Compositionslehre in a letter to Uncle Pehr. In the early works critics have seen influences from the Viennese classical school. Erik Furuhjelm and Erik Tawaststjerna have studied the early sketches in detail. Sibelius wrote his earliest works to be played by family members. The extant trio is the first of Sibelius’s compositions that can be dated with certainty. 'They are rather poor, but it is nice to have something to do on rainy days,' he wrote. He disclosed that he had composed one trio and was working on another. The first mention of a composition can be found in a letter Sibelius wrote from Kalalahti, 25th August 1883. In the autumn of 1882 Sibelius joined a string quartet whose repertoire included quartets by Haydn.

At the beginning of the summer Sibelius wrote to his Uncle Pehr that he was playing Kayser's études and duets with Anna Tigerstedt, the daughter of Theodor Tigerstedt, the municipal Officer of Health. In 1882 there was a rapid increase in the musicians who took part. Janne composed for piano and violin at a fairly early age, and I had to accompany him from the notes he had written down, which was not easy,' Linda Sibelius later recollected. 'We played together Janne played the violin, Kitti the cello, mother the piano or the harmonium. Their mother played the harmonium with the children. In 1881 Sibelius and his siblings had formed a trio in which Linda played the piano, Christian the cello and Janne the violin. Grave - Rondo (Vivacissimo) Completed in 1884.īefore Sibelius enrolled at the Music Institute (autumn 1885), he included a piano in nearly all the chamber music works he wrote for at least three musicians. Andante molto - Allegro moderato, 2.Īdagio, 3. Menuettoįor two violins, cello and piano: 1.

Completed in 1883.įor violin, cello and piano: 1. Chamber music for trios, quartets and quintetsĬhamber music with piano (composed in Hämeenlinna)įamily trio: Jean, Linda and Christian Sibeliusįor two violins and piano: 1.

Sibelius string quartet no 1