'Lost' Sibelius scores found

Jean Sibelius lived from 1865-1957

The scores of four songs by the late Finish national composer Jean Sibelius have been found in a bank vault.

Although the existence of the scores was known, it was thought they were lost because there was no record of their whereabouts.

But the FNB news agency reports that the songs, written for singer Ida Ekman, have been uncovered.

It is thought the Finnish Government hopes to house them in one the national museums dedicated to Sibelius.

Sibelius, who lived from 1865-1957, wrote the pieces as part of a cycle of 12 songs for his favourite singer, Ekman.

The other eight are held in various collections abroad.

But FNB reports the government is unlikely to allow these works to leave the country, considering them to be important to the heritage of Finland.

Inspiration

Sibelius was famous for romantic, nationalist works and is considered one of the country's most important cultural ambassadors.

He had close ties to the nationalist movement ahead of Finland's independence from Russia in 1917.

Although he was inspired by the wild landscapes of Finland, he did not compose anything for the last 30 years of his life.

Among his famous works are Finlandia and Valse Triste.