André Gagnon, one of Canada’s greatest composers / arrangers / pianists, published a new album last week, after a nine-year break from recording. And, he is about to go on tour.
Gagnon explained his hiatus by stating that he felt he had no more left to say with his music.
During that fallow period, he had contracted a degenerative muscle disease which was paralyzing his right hand; a Quebec surgeon convinced him to have a corrective operation, which was quite successful. Then, he had to be persuaded to work on a new album. The result is Les chemins ombragés / 'The roads in shadow.'
The native of St-Pacôme, a small hamlet along the Trans Canada Highway on the Lower St. Lawrence, carried the nickname ‘Our little Mozart’ for much of his 40-year career because of his prolific output -- and his short physical stature!
We met him 30-plus years ago here in Halifax at the Cohn Auditorium while he was on tour. My music-teacher colleague had been chosen to perform with him on one of his hits, Un piano au soleil, which requires a third hand.
It was a wonderful show, with Gagnon playing solos and his other memorable hits backed by a small string ensemble, and some new material. Our colleague played on the duet, then performed a Mazurka by Chopin, and took part in some light-hearted banter about a good-luck talisman found on the piano.
After the show, all four of us we got to meet and chat with him backstage. He was very gracious and charming, especially when we spoke at length en francais. We also got his autograph on the souvenir program!
The two tracks I’ve heard on Espace Musique this week have shown me that André Gagnon still has many important musical themes left to express.
Seems other media reviews in Quebec agree.
What is surprising about his body of work is that he does not read music notation; he composes, arranges and performs his music entirely by ear!
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