Ferdinand Barlow (1881-1951) was a French classical musician. Originally an engineer, he studied music with Jean Huré and Charles Koechlin. He composed in an Impressionist style, writing sonatas, symphonies, operas and ballets. Among Barlow’s works are Sylvie ou Le Double Amour, La Grande Jatte, Ave Maria and Sinfonietta des Saisons. His operetta Mam’zelle Prud’homme was presented at the Monte Carlo Opera.
Barlow became a Friend in 1926. He helped found the Paris Quaker Centre, which organized peace activities, penal reform and conscientious objection support. Barlow and his wife Ella led the Centre’s International Youth Circle, bringing French and foreign young people together to build friendships. In 1930 the IYC sent a petition about disarmament to the London Naval Conference.
Ferdinand Barlow created grave, deeply felt music. Sadly, he is for the most part unknown today. Below is a link to three pieces of his music, “La Fleur Merveilleuse” “Droite dans la Candeur” and “When-Chûn”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caB7PZbbviU
Gary Sandman
April 2025