Nature always formed an integral source of inspiration for Finland’s ‘national composer’ Jean Sibelius. In his youth the composer imagined birds as various instruments of the orchestra, but the element of nature is also very much present in his mature compositions. When Sibelius moved to his home, Ainola, in 1904 – a place where he was to live and compose until his death in 1957 – his only request was a view of the lake nearby. As Sibelius’ biographer wrote: ‘When Sibelius first left Helsinki, Järvenpää [where Ainola is located] was to a large extent untouched countryside. Foals and sheep almost nosed their way into the house, and from time to time an elk majestically bestrode the grounds.’ This peaceful environment inspired Sibelius to write the main part of his catalogue of works. Alongside music from Sibelius’ Sixth and Seventh Symphonies this collection includes several of his autumn-themed compositions alongside miniature masterpieces, such as the emotionally gripping Romance, Op. 42. Together with the Seventh Symphony this chord meant the red colour for Sibelius, while the Sixth Symphony (in D minor) meant shades of brown – both colours associated with Autumn.