Vincent d’Indy was a French composer, conductor, and teacher known for his contributions to late Romantic and early 20th-century music. A devoted student of César Franck, he played a key role in promoting Franck’s music and extending his harmonic language. D’Indy was deeply influenced by German symphonic traditions, Gregorian chant, and French folk music, blending these elements into his own compositions.

His most famous work, Symphony on a French Mountain Air (1886), showcases his ability to integrate folk melodies into symphonic form. Other notable works include the opera Fervaal, the Istar variations, and numerous orchestral and chamber pieces. In 1894, he co-founded the Schola Cantorum de Paris, an influential conservatory that championed counterpoint and traditional composition techniques.

Though highly respected for his teaching and music, d’Indy’s legacy is complicated by his conservative, nationalist views. His impact on French music was significant, shaping generations of composers and solidifying his reputation as a key figure in the transition from Romanticism to modern French music.