 After his study with Tinel, he was able to devote himself exclusively to composing, being of independent financial means.The years between 1895 and 1924 were his most productive.World War I badly affected his financial situation, and he had a family to take care of, for in 1899 he had married Marguerite Carton de Wiart (1872–1939), and the children had come thick and fast, eight in all.