The bells of Kallio Church ring out every day at 12 and 18 o'clock with a tune written for them by Sibelius. It is certainly the most played Sibelius composition in the world. Jean Sibelius was a member of the committee set up in 1909 to purchase the church organ and bells. There are seven bells, three of which are rung by swinging and four of which are rung by slapping the reed against the bell. A Sibelius composition is played on its own bell. The bells are made by the German Schilling & Schöne clock company. The texts cast on the bells are written in Finnish: "Give thanks to the Lord!"

To hear what the bell sounds like, click here link. If you are inside the church, please try not to disturb others.

Who was Jean Sibelius?

Jean Sibelius, whose full name was Johan Julius Christian Sibelius (1865-1957), was a Finnish composer who is one of the world's best-known and most respected figures in classical music. He was born in Hämeenlinna and studied music in Finland, Germany and Austria. Sibelius is particularly famous for his symphonies and other orchestral works, which are an integral part of the international concert repertoire.