Koechlin, Charles (1867–1950)

French composer. He never appeared as an executive musician or held any official appointment, but devoted himself largely to composition and the writing of some theoretical books as well as studies of Debussy and Fauré. Other influences on his music were Ravel, Poulenc, and Stravinsky.

He studied at the Paris Conservatory, where his teachers included Massenet and Fauré. He exercised a considerable influence on younger French composers, not least through his theoretical writings. His output is vast and leaves hardly any category of music unprovided, and although he sought no success and obtained little, his work is of high quality and lasting interest.

Works Orchestral seven pieces inspired by Kipling's Jungle Book, including Trois Poèmes for soloists, choir, and orchestra, Op. 18 (1899–1919), symphonic poems La Course de printemps (1925–27), La Méditation de Parun Baghat (1936), La Loi de la Jungle (1939), and Les Bandar-Log (1939–40); Symphonie d'hymnes (1910–33); Seven Stars Symphony (on film stars including Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, and Charlie Chaplin; 1933); symphonic poem Le Docteur fabricius (1944).

Chamber three string quartets; sonatas for violin, viola, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and horn, all with piano; 13 sonatinas for piano.

Other choruses, songs.