Léon Jongen

Léon Jongen (2 March 1884 – 18 November 1969) was a Belgian composer and organist.

Musical career He was born in Liège on 2 March 1884. His father Alphonse had an atelier there and worked as a woodcarver. He left his post at Saint-Jacques church in 1908 in order to tour Europe with a piano quartet. In 1934 he returned to Belgium to become a professor of fugue at the Royal 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 brother Joseph Jongen. His appointment as director lasted till 1949.

Jongen composed symphonic works and operas. Even though he was a great admirer of the French romantic school and even knew some influence by César Franck, his musical style evolved towards more modernistic traits. He died in Brussels.

Selected works

Étude Symphonique pour Servir de Prélude à l' Oedipe Roi 1908 Roxelane 1920 Suite Provençale 1926 Suite Provençale No. 3 1926 Campeador 1932 In Memoriam Regis 1934 Malaisie 1935 Venezuela 1936 Fanfare 1939 Improvisation 1943 Six Esquisses 1943 Quatre Miniatures 1949 Musique pour un Ballet 1954 Divertissement en Forme de Variations sur un Thème de Haydn 1955 Fanfare 1957