André Gagnon: A Tribute to the Visionary Behind “Neiges”

By blending various styles and challenging the conventions of classical music, pianist and composer André Gagnon paved the way for several emerging instrumental artists. For the concert Neiges: The OM Celebrates André Gagnon, conductor Léa Moisan-Perrier and pianists Julie Lamontagne and Rousso relate how this luminary gave Quebec instrumental music a certain level of prestige.

“It was about time for such a tribute to take place. It’s great to be able to take a moment and bring his music back to life,” eagerly states Julie Lamontagne, the guest piano soloist for the show. A pioneer, a visionary… that’s how she sums up what André Gagnon represents to many music lovers. Delighted at having had the opportunity to meet him when he was alive, she remembers him as a “man of heart.”

“In his music, there are no boundaries,” adds Léa Moisan-Perrier, who will conduct the Orchestre Métropolitain for these performances. “His art is driven by a love for all types of music, which are brought together on the album Neiges,” she continues. “It goes in every direction!” The album notably includes a tribute to Beethoven in Dédéthoven, Latin American rhythms in Ta samba, and a tribute to fiddler Jean Carignan in Petit concerto pour Carignan et orchestre.

Rousso, who is sharing the solo spotlight with Julie Lamontagne as a guest pianist, sees a lot of himself in André Gagnon’s compositional style. “I’m a bit like him… I studied classical music, but I play jazz, pop, and electronic music.” In 2023, he received the André Gagnon Prize from the SPACQ Foundation (Quebec Professional Society of Authors and Composers). Today, his mission is to get the composer’s music heard again. “It’s as if all roads lead to Rome...” he explains.

An Influence on Future Generations

André Gagnon was one of the first Quebec artists to build bridges between classical and popular music. “He gave instrumental music its due credentials,” emphasizes Léa Moisan-Perrier, who believes that the composer left his mark on such contemporary artists as Jean-Michel Blais and Alexandra Stréliski.

This is also how Julie Lamontagne sees it. “He influenced many musicians who are creating neoclassical music today.” The jazz pianist is among them. “When I was developing my piece Doux Carrousel,” she continues, “I remember thinking to myself, ‘My God, I can hear André Gagnon’s influence in it!’”

As a great melodist, André Gagnon continues to resonate with Quebecers. “People hum some of his tunes and don’t even realize they’re his!” says Julie Lamontagne. “We still sing them today.” She recalls that, upon its release, Neiges spent 24 weeks in the American Billboard chart’s Top 10, and that its melodies have been listened to repeatedly in countless Quebec homes. “He sold 700,000 copies… that’s huge!”

As a child, Rousso often listened to the album, which was among his father's favourite records. “He really dug the song Wow. And yet, there's hardly any piano in it! I think André Gagnon was the precursor of pop piano, of fun piano, of the pianist who can become a main artist himself."

A Unifying Moment

For Julie Lamontagne, these concerts will be a “larger-than-life” musical experience. “It will be rich, characterized by serenity, with certain moments where the music soars into virtuosity. [Winter] is the ideal time of year to delve into André Gagnon’s work.” Julie Lamontagne notes that the orchestral arrangements are by singer-songwriter François Vallières, based on the composer’s scores. “We’re not altering anything, but I will certainly add my own personal touch to the way I perform the pieces.”

As for Rousso, he promises a “grand, epic,” and festive concert. “The songs from the album will be played in order, and it’ll be like a party!”

More than a mere repeat performance of the album Neiges, the concert is intended as a true celebration, commemorating the musical legacy of André Gagnon, explains Léa Moisan-Perrier. The Chœur Métropolitain will also be joining the OM, filling the audience with the holiday spirit. “It’s an opportunity to mark the end of the year, come together around a beloved work, and celebrate our culture.”

Neiges: The OM Celebrates André Gagnon will be performed on December 13 and 14 at the Maison symphonique de Montréal.