born April 5, 1869, Tourcoing, France
died Aug. 23, 1937, Royan
French composer.
He served as a midshipman for seven years before making music his career, and he studied for 10 years at Paris's Schola Cantorum. His early music was much influenced by his teacher Vincent d'Indy . His opera-ballet Padmavati (1918), with its Indian scales, won enthusiasm from younger composers; his other important works include the ballets The Spider's Feast (1913) and Bacchus et Ariane (1930) and the Third Symphony (1930). His music is notable for its lyrical fervour, austerity of technique, and harmonic audacity.