Jongen was Belgiums greatest composer after Franck, whose music was an early influence. His first successes were with chamber music (notably a large piano quartet and his 1st string quartet, which won a prize) and several orchestra works, particularly the Fantasie on Walloon Christmas Carols op.24.

Jongen’s compositional style can be divided into three periods: the first period shows the cyclic treatment of Franck and flowing modulations of Fauré. The second, from about 1910 shows a responsiveness to the impressionists, more from Debussy than Ravel. The breakthrough works are the cello sonata(1912) and the appended scherzo of the Epithalme et Scherzo for three violins and orchestra. His most famous work of this time is the Symphonie Concertante for organ and orchestra the third period, from the late thirties shows Jongen incorporating aspects of both neo-classicism (Prelude and Chaccone for string quartet op. 101, String Trio op. 135) and modernism (Piano concerto op. 127). Through all of his style changes there is a consistent, seamless blend of form, idea, and craft. He ultimately achieved an individual style, which deserves far wider exposure. (contribution by John M. Williams <jmw12@cwru.edu>