An important French composer, Albert Roussel (1869 – 1937) started life as a naval officer. He joined the French navy at the age of 18, and made several journeys to Southeast Asia, the exotic impressions of which he recalled in later orchestral and dramatic works. At the age of 25, he began professional music studies with Vincent d’Indy at the Schola Cantorum where he later taught. In 1909–10, Roussel traveled again to Southeast Asia, and to India. Service at the front with the Red Cross in World War I undermined his health, and he retired to Brittany in 1918, subsequently devoting himself to composition.

His early works were strongly influenced by the impressionism of Claude Debussy, and Maurice Ravel, while he later turned toward neoclassicism. Roussel’s most important works are the ballets “Le festin de l’araignée”, “Bacchus et Ariane”, “Aeneas”, and the four symphonies (of which the Third, and the Fourth are highly regarded and epitomize his mature neoclassical style). His other works include numerous ballets, orchestral suites, a piano concerto, a concertino for cello and orchestra, incidental music for the theatre, chamber music, solo piano music, and songs.