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 Léon Jongen, composer, with pianists Edouardo del Pueyo and Jules Gentil at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel, circa 1958. | |
| Born | Marie-Victor-Justin-Léon Jongen (1884-03-02)2 March 1884 |
| Died | 18 November 1969(1969-11-18) (aged 85) |
| Education | Liège Conservatoire |
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Léon Jongen (2 March 1884 – 18 November 1969) was a Belgian composer and organist.
He was born inLiège on 2 March 1884. His father Alphonse had an atelier there and worked as a woodcarver.[1] He was the younger brother ofJoseph Jongen. Jongen studied at theRoyal Conservatory of Liège and was appointed as organist at the Saint-Jacques church of Liège after his graduation in 1898.[2] He left his post at Saint-Jacques church in 1908 in order to tour Europe with a piano quartet.[2] He eventually settled in Paris, becoming accompanist to the tenor Imbart de la Tour.[2] In 1913 he won thePrix de Rome with hiscantataLes fiancés de Noël.
After theFirst World War, Jongen travelled the world: he visited Africa,India, China, Japan, andHanoi. While in Hanoi he conducted the Tonkin Opera from 1927 to 1929.[3] In 1934 he returned to Belgium to become a professor offugue at theRoyal Conservatory of Brussels. The Commission de surveillance gave his several directorial responsibilities in 1938 and officially appointed him as director on 1 August 1939. He succeeded his brotherJoseph Jongen.[1] His appointment as director lasted till 1949.[1] Between 1960 and 1962 Léon Jongen was the chairman of theQueen Elisabeth Competition.[4]
Jongen composed symphonic works and operas. Even though he was a great admirer of the French romantic school and even knew some influence byCésar Franck, his musical style evolved towards more modernistic traits. He died inBrussels.
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