Happy birthday to Jean Sibelius, born on this day in 1865—a Finnish cultural hero and visionary composer who helped forge a national musical voice inspired by myth and nature. Sibelius is best known for his symphonic works, but his daring late string quartet, "Voces intimae," is a striking standout in his chamber music repertoire. He wrote to his wife of the piece: “It turned out as something wonderful. The kind of thing that brings a smile to your lips at the hour of death. I will say no more.”

50K views · 232 reactions | Christian Tetzlaff reunites with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to perform Sibelius’ mesmerizing Violin Concerto on February 14-16. Led by conductor David Afkham, the program also features Wagner’s stirring Prelude to Act 3 of Lohengrin and Schoenberg’s lush, evocative Pelleas and Melisande. Get tickets today at cso.org/ps/24531 | Chicago Symphony Orchestra | Facebook