Rue Marguerite Long

Standing right here on Rue Marguerite Long, it’s hard to believe that this street is only a little over two decades old. Before 2002, the spot where we are standing was just part of a larger area called “Voie BK/17”. It was in 1992, though, that a park in Paris was named after this amazing woman, Marguerite Long – a concert pianist and a great pedagogue who was considered one of the most significant French pianists of the 20th century. In fact, it wasn’t until 2002 that this street got its official name, honoring Marguerite Long, a woman who truly brought music to life. Marguerite Long, this famous pianist, was actually the first woman to ever be granted the title of Grand-Croix de l’Ordre National du Mérite, a huge honor that speaks volumes about her exceptional talent and contributions to music. Marguerite Long was a close friend of some of the era’s most renowned musicians, including Gabriel Fauré, Claude Debussy, and Maurice Ravel. Ravel even dedicated his Concerto in G major to her, and she was the one who gave it its world premiere in 1932. Even after her death in 1966, the legacy of Marguerite Long lives on with the prestigious Concours Long Thibaud for piano and violin, which she co-founded with the violinist Jacques Thibaud. Being in this street, it’s almost as if you can hear the echoes of her brilliant piano pieces, bringing a sense of prestige and history to this seemingly ordinary street. So, if you’re ever in Paris, be sure to take a moment to walk down Rue Marguerite Long and imagine the music that once filled the air here.