Paul Le Flem

Full biography Paul Le Flem

Paul Le Flem was a French composer born on March 18, 1881, in Brittany. He studied music at the Schola Cantorum under Vincent d'Indy and Albert Roussel , and later worked as a music critic for several publications. He is known for his evocative orchestral music, which often features motifs and themes drawn from Breton folk music.

Le Flem's career as a composer was somewhat interrupted, due to his service in World War I, as well as health issues later in life. Nonetheless, he wrote a number of symphonies, as well as works for chamber ensembles and solo instruments. One of his best-known compositions is his Symphony No. 2, which was premiered in 1923.

In addition to his own music, Le Flem was an important figure in the French classical music world of the early 20th century, and was a mentor to several other notable composers. André Jolivet, for example, studied composition with Le Flem before becoming a pupil of Edgard Varèse.

Le Flem died on July 31, 1984, at the age of 103. Despite the relative obscurity of his work outside of France, he was an important figure in the development of modern French classical music, and his music continues to be performed and studied today.