Roussel, Albert 1869-1937
French composer

Born in Tourcoing, he joined the navy and saw service in Indo-China, but at the age of 25 he resigned his commission to study music in Paris with Gigout, joining the Schola Cantorum in 1896 under Vincent d'Indy. A journey to India and the Far East gave him an interest in oriental music which, combined with the influence of Stravinsky, inspired the choral �vocations (1912) and the opera Padm�vati, begun in 1914 and completed after World War I. Service in the war ruined his health, and after his demobilization he largely retired into seclusion, devoting his time entirely to composition. His works include ballets, the best-known of which are Bacchus et Ariane (1931) and Le Festin de l'araign�e (1912, 'The Spider's Feast'), four symphonies and numerous choral and orchestral works. His works are adventurous in harmony and texture, reconciling modern experimental styles with the conservative tradition of his teachers.