Marcel Grandjany French-American harpist and music educator. Date of Birth: 03.09.1891 Country: France

Biography of Marcel Grandjany

Marcel Grandjany was a Franco-American harpist and music educator. He began his musical journey under the guidance of his cousin, and it was through her that he was noticed by the renowned harpist Henriette Renié. From the age of eight, he studied privately with Renié before enrolling at the Paris Conservatory, where he trained under Alphonse Hasselmans.

At the age of 17, Grandjany gave his first solo concert and made his debut as a soloist with the Lamoureux Orchestra. In 1913, he performed a joint concert with Maurice Ravel in Paris. In 1922, he co-founded the Paris Instrumental Quintet with flutist René Le Roy, an innovative ensemble consisting of flute, harp, and a string trio. This unique group inspired compositions by Albert Roussel, Guy Ropartz, Gabriel Pierné, Florent Schmitt, Vincent d'Indy, Francesco Malipiero, and Cyril Scott.

In 1924, Grandjany embarked on his first tour in New York and eventually settled there permanently. In 1938, he became the head of the harp department at the Juilliard School of Music, where he taught until the end of his life. He was also one of the founders of the International Harp Association and the American Harp Society.