Henri Dutilleux was a French composer born in 1916 in Angers, France. He began his musical studies in Douai and then continued his education in Paris. He did not compose many pieces because his work required a careful, slow, and intellectual process. His music is in the continuity of the famous composers like Debussy and Ravel, but with an iconoclastic style. He gathered many prizes in the 30s, occupied the prominent position of head of the musical production at Radio France for nearly two decades, was a renowned professor in the 60s and received the French Légion d’honneur in 2004.  

He married pianist Geneviève Joy in 1945 and composed several film scores spanning several decades, the latest being in the 80s with Under the Sun of Satan by Maurice Pialat. Dutilleux claimed that his work was influenced by Beethoven, and cites his late string quartets as one of his most favorite pieces of all time. 

Henri Dutilleux died at the age of 97 in Paris and was buried, as per his wish, next to his beloved wife, who passed a few years prior. His influence still echoes everywhere, and he is often regarded as one of the most influential composers of the second part of the 20th century. His repertoire includes a piano sonata, two symphonies, the cello concerto Tout un monde lointain…, the violin concerto L'arbre des songes, the string quartet Ainsi la nuit and Sonatine for flute and piano.