Léon Jongen

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

Born in Liège, Jongen studied at the Royal Conservatory of Liège and was appointed as organist at the Saint-Jacques church of Liège after his graduation. In 1913 the composer won the Prix de Rome with his cantata Les fiancés de Noël.

After the First World War, Jongen travelled the world: he visited Africa, India, China, Japan, and Hanoi. In 1934 he returned to Belgium to become a professor of fugue at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels, where he succeeded his brother Joseph Jongen as a director. Between 1960 and 1962 Léon Jongen was the chairman of the Queen Elisabeth Competition. In 1963 he took part as a contestant and won the composition prize of this contest.

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.

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