Victor Bouchard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Victor Bouchard
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| Born | April 11, 1926, Sainte-Claire de Dorchester, near Quebec City, Quebec, Canada |
| Died | March 22, 2011 (aged 84), Quebec City, Quebec, Canada |
| Genres | classical music |
| Occupation(s) | Canadian pianist and composer |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1952–2003 |
Victor Bouchard OC CQ (April 11, 1926 – March 22, 2011) was a talented Canadian pianist and composer. He was born near Quebec City in 1926. Victor Bouchard became famous for his classical music performances. He often played the piano with his wife, Renée Morisset.
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Victor Bouchard's Musical Journey
Early Music Training
Victor Bouchard started learning music in 1941. He studied at the Collège de Lévis until 1946. His teacher was Father Alphonse Tardif. Later, he went to the Conservatoire de musique du Québec. There, he learned about harmony from Father Tardif. He also studied piano with Hélène Landry. Françoise Aubut taught him music theory. In 1950, he married another pianist, Renée Morisset.
Studying Music in Paris
From 1950 to 1953, Victor Bouchard studied in Paris, France. He learned from famous musicians like Alfred Cortot. He also studied with Antoine Reboulot. In 1952, he began performing with his wife, Renée. They played together as a piano duo.
The Famous Piano Duo
Victor and Renée started touring in the mid-1950s. They performed across Canada. They also played in Belgium, Holland, and Italy. In 1965, they made their debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City. After that, they played many concerts in the United States until 1970.
Many composers wrote music especially for their duo. These included Nombres by Clermont Pépin. This piece was for two pianos and an orchestra. Roger Matton wrote a Concerto for them in 1964. They also performed a sonata by Jacques Hétu. Victor and Renée won the Prix Pierre-Mercure for their recording of Matton's concerto.
Beyond Performing: Music and Leadership
Victor Bouchard was also a leader in the music world. From 1957 to 1959, he was the President of Jeunesses musicales du Canada. This group helps young musicians. In 1961, he became the vice president of the Académie de musique du Québec.
He also worked for the government. From 1967 to 1971, he was with the Ministry of Education of Quebec. Later, from 1978 to 1980, he was the General Director of the Quebec Conservatory. Besides playing, Victor Bouchard composed music. He wrote chamber works, like a string quartet. He also arranged over 100 French-Canadian folk songs.
Awards and Special Honors
Victor Bouchard and the Bouchard-Morisset duo received many awards. These awards recognized their great contributions to music.
- 1964 - Prix Calixa-Lavallée (awarded to the duo Bouchard-Morisset)
- 1981 - Member of the Ordre du Canada (a high honor in Canada)
- 1985 - Officer of the Ordre du Canada (a higher level of the same honor)
- 1994 - Knight of the Ordre national du Québec (a top honor in Quebec)
- 1997 - Académie des Grands Québécois (awarded to the duo Bouchard-Morisset)
- 2002 - Médaille Gloire de l'Escolle
- 2004 - Prize from the foundation of the Orchestre symphonique de Québec (awarded to the duo Bouchard-Morisset)
See also
