Sibelius is widely known for his symphonies and his tone poems, especially "Finlandia" and the "Karelia suite". His reputation in Finland grew in the 1890s with the choral symphony "Kullervo", which like many subsequent pieces drew on the epic poem "Kalevala". His First Symphony was first performed to an enthusiastic audience in 1899 at a time when Finnish nationalism was evolving. In addition to six more symphonies, he gained popularity at home and abroad with incidental music and more tone poems, especially "En saga", "The Swan of Tuonela" and "Valse triste". Sibelius also composed a series of works for violin and orchestra including a Violin Concerto, the opera "Jungfrun i tornet", many shorter orchestral pieces, chamber music, works for piano and violin, choral works and numerous songs.