Jean Absil

Jean Absil (May 23, 1893 – February 2, 1974) was a Belgian modernist music composer, organist, and professor at the Brussels Conservatory.

Absil was born in Hainaut, Belgium. He originally studied organ and harmony at the Brussels Conservatory , but upon graduating, decided to concentrate on composition instead. In 1934, Absil won the Prix Rubens, which allowed him to travel to Paris, France. Here, he met fellow contemporary composers Ibert, Milhaud, and Honegger. Absil gained international prominence with the premiere of his first piano concerto (op. 30).[1] In 1930, Absil began teaching harmony at the Brussels Conservatory, becoming a professor of Fugue 6 years later. He also taught at Chapelle Musicale Reine Elisabeth and the Etterbeek Music School. In 1955, he was elected to the Belgium Royal Academy. In 1974, at the age of 80, Absil died in Uccle, Brussels.