Francis Chagrin was self-described as "Romanian by birth, British by nationality and cosmopolitan by inclination". Chagrin was a student of Nadia Boulanger and Paul Dukas. He composed extensively for films, but wrote for most genres. Among his most notable orchestral works, the two symphonies are dramatic and fervent and full of contrast. Often unfortunately neglected, the show Chagrin's talent for form and color.