Belgian Pianist and Composer François Glorieux has Died, Aged 91

A composer of many genres, Glorieux penned around 300 works and gave over 6,000 concerts

Born in Courtrai, Belgium, in 1932, François Glorieux was a highly versatile musician and worked in classical, jazz, and pop music, as well as with conductors and renowned choreographers such as Béjart, Panov, and Correlli.

Internationally acclaimed and a renowned improviser, he once topped the Japanese classical music charts for nine consecutive months.

At age 17, he studied at the Ghent Conservatory with pianist Marcel Gazelle and composer George Lonque. He later conducted the Stan Kenton Band in the USA, the Locke Brass Consort, BBC Radio Orchestra, and Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra, among others.

He also founded groups such as Instrumentarium, Panoramic Trio, and the Revivat Scaldis Chamber Orchestra.

Across his career, Glorieux presented more than 6,000 concerts and wrote around 300 works. In addition to his classical training, he often adapted the music of The Beatles and Michael Jackson, whom he also counted as one of his top fans. 

“I was invited by his [Jackson’s] lawyer for an interview. When I arrived in California, Branca warned me that the meeting would last no more than three minutes. But I talked to him for three hours,” Glorieux said, according to Vibe. “Michael turned out to be a huge fan, had all my records and asked me not only about my life, but also to play for him. 

“He had tears in his eyes, especially when I improvised on ‘She’s out of My Life,’ one of his favorite songs. I then reworked ‘Bad’, ‘Smooth Criminal’ and ‘Liberian Girl’ for orchestra. We would perform that with the LA Symphony Orchestra with me as conductor…I heard about his death the day before I was supposed to play in Vienna City Hall. I also played that concert as a tribute to him.”

Glorieux was also an honorary professor of chamber music at the Royal Music Conservatory of Ghent, a guest professor at Yale University, and director of Antwerp’s International Piano Master Class.

His biography, “Francois Glorieux — a life for music,” written by Henri Bultynck, was published in 2005. Glorieux continued to perform and compose late in life. 

“He still planned gigs and played the piano at his house every day,” said his son Régis. “Last week, a former student of his came by and played for hours. Music was his life. The fact that he made people happy and put our country on the map is a comfort to us.”

Our condolences to Mr. Glorieux’s family, friends, students, and colleagues.