Vincent d'Indy

French composer and teacher Paul-Marie-Theodore-Vincent d'Indy was born in Paris on 27 March 1851 into an aristocratic family. He began studying music whilst a child - piano lessons from his grandmother, at first, and harmony from age fourteen with Albert Lavignac. Later he studied with César Franck at the Paris Conservatoire, and became an admirer of Wagner and other Germanic symphonic music, dismissing much 'decorative' French music as superficial and frivolous.

His many works, including a music drama, operas, symphonic music, chamber music and songs, are seldom performed today, and his best known work is the Symphonie sur un chant montagnard français for piano and orchestra of 1886. He helped to revive various forgotten early works, including making his own edition of Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea, and was one of the founders of the Schola Cantorum in Paris.

Vincent d'Indy died in Paris on 1 December 1931, aged eighty, leaving more than a hundred works.

A selection of articles about Vincent d'Indy

CD Spotlight. An Additional Significance and Poignancy - Gerald Fenech listens to César Franck orchestral music, recorded in Ukraine. 'Francisco Varela draws the very best from the Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine, and performances are consistently fresh, alive and often compelling.'

French Romanticism - George Colerick discusses orchestral music by Berlioz, Saint-Saëns, Delibes, Lalo, d'Indy, Debussy, Ravel, Honegger, Poulenc, Milhaud and others

Ensemble. Exciting Teamwork - Roderic Dunnett was in Worcester for the 2011 Three Choirs Festival

CD Spotlight. A Distinctive Voice - Music by Vincent d'Indy, recommended by Robert Anderson. 'The eloquent solo viola of Lawrence Power is crucial ...'

CD Spotlight. Engagingly Heartening - Choral and orchestral music by Arthur Honegger, enjoyed by Howard Smith. '... strikingly performed by Welsh forces ...'

CD Spotlight. Eminently Agreeable - Piano music by Ahmet Adnan Saygun, recommended by Howard Smith. '... unfailing rhythmic clarity and beautifully controlled dynamics ...'