Marcel Lucien Tournier was born in Paris in 1879. He studied the harp under R. Martenot and then Alphonse Hasselmans at the Paris Conservatoire,ln 1912 he was appointed harp professor at the Paris Conservatoire where he trained several students, a number of whom became well-known soloists. 
Marcel Tournier was an innovator and added numerous sound effects to the range of the harp. 
Most of his compositions were written for harp, including Jazz Band, Pièces nègres, Two Sonatines Op.30 and 45, and the four suites of Images Op.29.