His close circle of friends included the pianist and writer Adolf Paul and the conductor-to-be Armas Järnefelt, (who introduced him to his influential family including his sister Aino who would become Sibelius's wife).
Hans tætte vennekreds omfattede pianisten og forfatteren Adolf Paul og dirigenten Armas Järnefelt (som introducerede ham til sin indflydelsesrige familie, herunder hans søster Aino, som skulle blive Sibelius kone).