In January 1899, Sibelius embarked on his First Symphony at a time when his patriotic feelings were being enhanced by the Russian emperor Nicholas II's attempt to restrict the powers of the Grand Duchy of Finland. The symphony was well received by all when it was premiered in Helsinki on 26 April 1899. But the program also premiered the even more compelling, blatantly patriotic "Song of the Athenians" for boys' and men's choirs. The song immediately brought Sibelius the status of a national hero. Another patriotic work followed on 4 November in the form of eight tableaux depicting episodes from Finnish history known as the "Press Celebration Music". It had been written in support of the staff of the "Päivälehti" newspaper, which had been suspended for a period after editorially criticizing Russian rule. The last tableau, "Finland Awakens", was particularly popular; after minor revisions, it became the well-known "Finlandia".