By the autumn of 1927 Sibelius was able to inform the New York Times music critic Olin Downes—one of his greatest admirers—that he had set down two movements of the Eighth on paper and had composed the rest in his head.
Cara ao outono de 1927 Sibelius foi quen de informar ao crítico musical do New York Times Olin Downes —un dos seus maiores admiradores— de que escribira dous movementos no papel e que compuxera o resto na súa cabeza.