Armas Järnefelt (1869-1958) was a Finnish conductor and composer, part of a prominent artistic family and a contemporary of Sibelius. Born in Vyborg, he studied in Finland and abroad and became an important conductor in Sweden and Finland.

His compositions include orchestral pieces, songs and stage music. The brief Præludium is his best-known work and appears frequently in historic orchestral programmes.

Järnefelt’s music is late Romantic, lyrical and direct, often touched by Nordic atmosphere. As a conductor, he helped shape musical life around him as much as through his own compositions.

His reputation now rests chiefly on a few compact works, but those pieces have travelled well. Järnefelt’s Præludium is one of those small sparks that refuses to go out.