The Finnish composer Jean Sibelius's music has long been immensely popular in Japan – but how and why has the composer risen to prominence of this scale? To answer this question, my research project creates a systematic explanation of the establishment of Sibelius's position in Japan by examining Japanese-language primary sources, such as writings and interviews. Addressing Sibelius's music in a global context, the research reveals how the cultural meanings associated with Sibelius's work have been understood and constructed in Japan. Through this approach, the project makes an important new contribution to international Sibelius research, global history scholarship of music and the study of cultural relations between Finland and Japan. This international alignment is especially important today with East Asia being such a significant and vibrant centre for Western art music. Perhaps it will reveal to us a new, "Japanese" Sibelius.

2023

2028