Finland at the time was ruled by Tsarist Russia, and there was a growing movement for political independence. Sibelius identified himself with this, writing works that openly expressed his nationalist feelings. The first of these was the five-movement choral symphony Kullervo, which was inspired by the Kalevala. This was premiered in April 1892 and was an immediate success, placing Sibelius (at the age of 26) firmly in the position of Finland's foremost composer. That June he married Aino Järnefelt,...