Vincent d’Indy (1851-1931) was a French composer, teacher and theorist, and one of the most influential figures in French musical life around 1900. A devoted pupil of César Franck, he became a leading advocate of rigorous compositional craft.

His works include the Symphonie sur un chant montagnard français, the symphonic variations Istar, chamber music, songs, sacred works and operas including Fervaal. He also co-founded the Schola Cantorum in Paris.

D’Indy’s music often combines Franckian cyclic form with French colour, folk influence and a strong architectural sense. He favoured seriousness and continuity at a time when French music was moving in many competing directions.

His legacy is complicated by his conservatism and politics, but his importance as teacher and institution-builder is undeniable. D’Indy helped shape the workshop in which much French music of the next generation was forged.