Robert Lannoy

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Robert Lannoy (18 June 1915 – June 1979) was a French composer and the long-time director of the Conservatoire de Lille, a post he held for 33 years until his death. Born in Saint-Amand-les-Eaux in northern France into a family of bell-ringers, he grew up immersed in the bell tradition. He studied at the Conservatory of Valenciennes (harmony, violin and bassoon) with Fernand Lamy, then entered the Conservatoire de Paris, where he won top prizes in composition.

He first entered the Prix de Rome in 1938 but did not win. During World War II he served as a soldier-musician in the 5th Line Infantry Regiment of Courbevoie. He was captured and remained a prisoner for five years, making several escapes. He was sent to Czechoslovakia and, after escaping, was recaptured following a visit to Bayreuth. He later was in Ukraine at the Rawa Ruska camp, where another escape attempt in 1942 led to imprisonment at Lemberg. In 1943 he was moved to Austria in a Stalag, where he became Kapellmeister and organized orchestras, choirs and even a ballet-mime, Pygmalion, performed by prisoners in Poland. He received the Médaille de la Résistance and the Escapees' Medal. Freed by the American army, he returned to Paris in 1945.

At the request of the Americans, he composed the music for the documentary Homecoming, directed by Henri Cartier-Bresson, about the return of prisoners after the war. For radio, and at the request of Henri Dutilleux, he wrote La légende des pays alliés, with text by Louise de Vilmorin. He tried again for the Prix de Rome in 1946 and won the second prize, which earned him the position of director of the Conservatoire de Lille. He married pianist Lola Delwarde, and as director he conducted many concerts and helped Lille students discover music. He died in Lille in June 1979.