École Normale de Musique de Paris

The Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris was founded in 1919 by the renowned pianist Alfred Cortot and music critic Auguste Mangeot. They established the institution in the aftermath of the First World War to revitalize French musical culture. Unlike the more restrictive state conservatories of the time, the founders created a private school that welcomed international students and focused on training both concert performers and music teachers. The institution quickly became a magnet for elite faculty, counting musical legends such as Nadia Boulanger, Pablo Casals, and Paul Dukas among its early instructors.