Sibelius Museum & Otto Andersson

Professor Otto Andersson approached Jean Sibelius at the turn of the year 1948–1949 with a request for permission to call the music collections at the Åbo Akademi the Sibelius Museum. The composer agreed to this request in a letter dated 16th January 1949, and the museum was renamed.

The founder of the Sibelius Museum, Otto Andersson, studied in Turku to become a cantor and organist. During his studies, he played violin and was a brass musician with the music corps. In 1900, Andersson move to Helsinki to study at the Helsinki Music Institute and the University of Helsinki.

In 1923, Andersson obtained his doctorate with the subject jouhikko (a traditional bowed lyre). In addition, he collected folklore and led several choirs. in 1926, he was installed as professor of musicology and folklore studies in the Åbo Akademi University, the rector of which he later became.