Born in Nîmes in 1874, Marguerite Long began her pianist career at the age of seventeen, then went on to become a teacher in the Conservatoire de Paris in 1926.

She devoted her whole life to her career as a performer and to finding new talent. She was a teacher in the Ecole Normale de Musique from 1921 onwards.

Friend of Debussy, she also championed the music of Fauré who dedicated his Fourth Impromptu to her. With Ravel she shared in the glory of the Concerto in G in 1932.

In 1943, after having taught in the Academy for thirty-four years, she called on her friend Jacques Thibaud to create the contest which is named after them. Her students included Samson François, Yvonne Lefébure, Jacques Février and Nicole Henriot, etc.

Until her death in 1966, Marguerite Long devoted herself completely to the contest which she had founded.

Bibliography

Works by Marguerite Long :

- Au piano avec Debussy, Julliard, 1960
- Au piano avec Fauré, Julliard, 1963
- Au piano avec Ravel, Julliard, 1971
- Le Piano, Salabert, 1959
- La Petite Méthode de piano, Salabert, 1963.

About Marguerite Long :

- J. Weill : Marguerite Long, une vie fascinante, Julliard, Paris 1969.
- C. Dunoyer de Segonzac : Marguerite Long, un siècle de vie musicale française, Findakly, 1993.

Furthermore, the Revue Musicale devoted its 245th issue completely to the Long-Thibaud competition.