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Marcel Grandjany was a French-American harpist and composer who was born on September 24, 1891, in Paris, France. He was born into a family of musicians, and his father, Alphonse Grandjany, was a well-known harpist and composer. Marcel began playing the harp at a young age and showed great promise as a musician. In 1910, Marcel Grandjany was accepted into the Paris Conservatory, where he studied under the renowned harpist Henriette Renié. He graduated with first prize in harp performance in 1913. After graduation, he began performing as a soloist and chamber musician throughout Europe. In 1916, Grandjany was drafted into the French army during World War I. He served as a stretcher-bearer and was wounded in battle. After the war, he returned to his music career and continued to perform throughout Europe. In 1924, Grandjany moved to the United States and became the principal harpist for the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. He also began teaching at the Juilliard School of Music, where he remained on the faculty for over 40 years. As a composer, Grandjany wrote primarily for the harp, but also composed for other instruments and ensembles. His compositions are known for their lyrical melodies and virtuosic harp writing. Some of his most famous works include "Rhapsodie," "Fantaisie sur un thème de J. Haydn," and "Aria in Classic Style." Grandjany was also a prolific arranger of music for the harp. He arranged works by composers such as Bach, Handel, and Debussy for the harp, and his arrangements are still widely performed today. In addition to his performing and composing career, Grandjany was also a respected teacher. He taught many of the leading harpists of his time, including Alice Chalifoux, who went on to become the principal harpist for the Cleveland Orchestra. Marcel Grandjany died on February 24, 1975, in New York City. He left behind a legacy as one of the most important harpists and composers of the 20th century. His compositions and arrangements continue to be performed and recorded by harpists around the world.

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