Ernest Gagnon facts for kids
Ernest Gagnon (born November 7, 1834 – died September 15, 1915) was a talented Canadian musician. He was a folklorist, which means he studied and collected traditional stories and songs. He was also a composer, who wrote music, and an organist, someone who plays the organ.
He is most famous for collecting many French Canadian folk songs. He put these songs into a book called Chansons populaires du Canada (which means "Popular Songs of Canada"). He published this book between 1865 and 1867. People really admired his amazing organ playing. He was also known as an expert in plainsong accompaniment, which is a type of ancient church music.
Ernest Gagnon's Life Story
Ernest Gagnon was born in Louiseville, Canada. His family was well-known for their musical talents in Québec City. His brother, Gustave Gagnon, was also a composer. His nephew, Henri Gagnon, became a composer too. His sister Élisabeth married a pianist named Paul Letondal.
Ernest learned to play the organ from Charles Wugk Sabatier. From 1853 to 1864, he was the organist at Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church. He then became the organist at the Notre-Dame Basilica-Cathedral from 1864 to 1876.
In 1857, he traveled to Paris, France, to study music even more. There, he learned from famous musicians like Henri Herz and Alexandre Goria.
His Musical Works
Many of Ernest Gagnon's songs for voices, choir pieces, and piano music have been published. You can find them through the Canadian Musical Heritage Society and by Adélard Joseph Boucher.
One of his piano pieces, Stadaconé (written in 1858), was very special. It was the first time a composer wrote music based on the sounds and traditions of the Indigenous peoples of Canada.
Ernest Gagnon passed away in Quebec City when he was 80 years old. He is buried at the Cimetière Notre-Dame-de-Belmont.
