Andante Festivo is a short, hymn-like chamber piece written in 1922 by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius.
Andante Festivo is a single-movement chamber work for two violins, viola, and cello written in 1922 by the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. In 1938, the composer arranged the piece for string orchestra and timpani, and on January 1st 1939, Sibelius conducted this version during a live, worldwide broadcast, making it the only sound document of him interpreting his own music. That recording was Sibelius's last performance as a conductor also. He maintained a slow tempo, with unforced rubato, creating a solemn, singing string sound. That recording is also part of a collection of historic Sibelius performances from 1928 to 1948, including recordings of the Columbia Gramophone Company (later EMI) from the 1930s, when Robert Kajanus conducted the symphonies and tone poems, many of which he had premiered. Walter Parviainen requested a cantata from Sibelius to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Säynätsalo sawmills before Christmas of 1922. Sibelius wrote instead the original composition for string quartet.
