Andre Gagnon

Education

Anne-de-la-Pocatière from 1952-1953 and studied at the Conservatoire de musique à Montréal with Germaine Malépart (piano), Clermont Pépin (composition), and Gilberte Martin (solfège) from 1957 to 1961.".

Career

The youngest of nineteen children, Gagnon began composing at the age of six and according to the Canadian Encyclopedia, "He took theory lessons with Léon Destroismaisons in Ste. Extremely notable for his fusion of classical and popular styles, ("Such compositions as "Neiges," "Smash," "chevauchée," "Surprise," "Donna," and "Mouvements" have established Gagnon in the disco and popular fields," André Gagnon also composed for television including Louisiana Souris Verte, Vivre en ce Pays, Format 60, Format 30,Techno-Flash, Les Forges de Saint-Maurice as well as for theater with such productions as Louisiana Poudre aux Yeux, Doña Rosita, Terre d"Aube, Louisiana Dame de Chez Maxim"s, and Wouf-Wouf. Some of his most notable songs are "Pour les Amants," "Turluteries," and "Mes Quatre Saisons." According to André Gagnon"s official website, "In 1974, André Gagnon released Saga, his first album, composed solely of original instrumental pieces".

In 1975, the album Neiges stayed on the American Billboard"s Top 10 for twenty-four weeks and sold 700,000 copies worldwide.

In 1978, André Gagnon was made an officer of the Order of Canada. Gagnon went on world tour in 1981 to the United States, Venezuela, Mexico, Greece, and Romania.

During this year, he also composed original music for the film Tell Maine that You Love Maine, a production of Astral Films. In October, he recorded Impressions in the famous Abbey Road studio.

In February 1990, the opera Nelligan was released, for which Gagnon wrote the music

The opera was presented first at the Grand Theater of Quebec and then the Place of the Arts of Montreal and finally at the National Center of the Arts of Ottawa. Following the opera"s Canadian release is the release of the studio-recorded double album, Nelligan. In January 1992, Gagnon composed the music for the film, The Pianist and 1999 saw the release of the album Juliette Pomerleau.

In the summer of 2011, the album Les chemins ombragés was certified a gold album having sold 40,000 units.

André Gagnon has also composed music for many artists, such as Diane Dufresne (Le 304), Renée Claude (Je suis une femme d"aujourd"hui, Ballade pour mes vieux jours) and Nicole Martin (Mannequin). Juno awards Government honours.

Achievements

• 1978: Instrumental Artist of the Year 1995: Instrumental Artist of the Year He has received Juno nominations in several other years. Gagnon was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1978.