Which Finnish composer wrote the orchestral tone poem Finlandia in 1899?

Jean Sibelius wrote the Finnish orchestral tone poem Finlandia in 1899.

The work was originally composed for the Press Celebrations of 1899, a series of events opposing increasing censorship and Russification measures in the Grand Duchy of Finland. Sibelius later revised the piece into a standalone concert work. Its dramatic final section became widely known as the Finlandia hymn.

Although Finlandia is strongly associated with Finnish national identity, it was not originally given that title. The music first appeared under names connected with the historical tableaux for which it was written. The title Finlandia was adopted later, partly because the Russian authorities considered the work politically provocative.

Sibelius lived from 1865 to 1957 and remains Finland’s most internationally celebrated classical composer. His other major works include seven symphonies, the Violin Concerto, and the orchestral suite Karelia.