Roger-Ducasse was a pupil of Gabriel Fauré at the Paris Conservatoire, where he succeeded Dukas as professor of composition.

Influenced by Fauré, he nevertheless developed a personal style in his compositions that were firmly rooted in tradition.

The lyric comedy "Cantegril" was staged at the Paris Opéra-Comique in 1931, five years after his lyric mime drama "Orphée" at the Opéra.

Roger-Ducasse showed his mastery of orchestration in his Suite française of 1907.

Other orchestral compoisitions include the Marche française of 1914, a Petite Suite and a set of Variations plaisantes (Pleasant Variations) on a serious theme for harp and orchestra.

His music for chorus and orchestra includes a triptych Ulysse et les sirènes (Odysseus and the Sirens) and his earlier work based on Faust, Au jardin de Marguerite (In the Garden of Marguerite).

Chamber music of interest by Roger-Ducasse includes a string quartet and a piano quartet.