Alfred Mignault
Encyclopedia
Alfred Joseph Édouard Mignault (8 December 1895 - 10 July 1961) was a Canadian organist
, composer
, and music educator. A largely self-taught composer, his compositional output includes both vocal and instrumental works such as songs, works for solo piano, choral works
, and works for orchestra. Some his compositions were published by Adélard Joseph Boucher
and Archambault Musique. His most well known work is his 1944 Messe brève de requiem.
, Mignault received his earliest musical training from his mother who was an organist trained by Romain-Octave Pelletier I
. In 1916 he began studying the piano with Alfred La Liberté
. He briefly pursued studies at the Université de Montréal
but dropped out to pursue private music studies with pianist Léo-Pol Morin
and organists Eugène Lapierre
and Émile Lambert.
In the early 1920s Mignault held organist posts briefly at St-Alphonse d'Youville, St-Étienne, Ste-Cunégonde, Ste-Catherine, and St-Georges in Montreal. In 1924 he was appointed organist at St-Enfant-Jésus Church, a position he held through 1957. He also served as that church's choirmaster from 1944-1957. In 1937 he began working as an organist and pianist for CBC Radio
, appearing on radio broadcasts periodically up into the 1950s. He notably succeeded Henri Letondal as artistic director of the CKAC radio program L'Heure provinciale from 1938-1940.
In 1943 Mignault joined the music faculty of the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Montréal where he taught solfège
and musical dictation through 1961. He also taught voice and solfège for the Montreal Catholic School Board from 1944-1957. He died in Montreal in 1961 at the age of 65. His son André Mignault had a successful career as a cellist.
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, and music educator. A largely self-taught composer, his compositional output includes both vocal and instrumental works such as songs, works for solo piano, choral works
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
, and works for orchestra. Some his compositions were published by Adélard Joseph Boucher
Adélard Joseph Boucher
Adélard Joseph François-Arthur Boucher was a Canadian publisher, importer, choirmaster, organist, conductor, writer on music, composer and numismatist. In 1865 he founded the A.J. Boucher Co. in Montreal which published the works of Canadian and foreign composers until it closed in 1975...
and Archambault Musique. His most well known work is his 1944 Messe brève de requiem.
Life and career
Born in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, QuebecSaint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Quebec
Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures is a city in central Quebec, Canada, on the Saint Lawrence River, adjacent to Quebec City.The town was founded in 1691 by three families...
, Mignault received his earliest musical training from his mother who was an organist trained by Romain-Octave Pelletier I
Romain-Octave Pelletier I
Romain-Octave Pelletier I was a Canadian organist, pianist, composer, writer on music, and music educator.-Early life and career:...
. In 1916 he began studying the piano with Alfred La Liberté
Alfred La Liberté
Alfred La Liberté was a Canadian composer, pianist, writer on music, and music educator. He was a disciple and close personal friend of Alexander Scriabin. He was also an admirer of Marcel Dupré and Nikolai Medtner. Dupré notably dedicated his Variations, Opus 22 for piano to him and Medtner...
. He briefly pursued studies at the Université de Montréal
Université de Montréal
The Université de Montréal is a public francophone research university in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It comprises thirteen faculties, more than sixty departments and two affiliated schools: the École Polytechnique and HEC Montréal...
but dropped out to pursue private music studies with pianist Léo-Pol Morin
Léo-Pol Morin
Léo-Pol Morin was a Canadian pianist, music critic, composer, and music educator. He composed under the name James Callihou, with his most well known works being Suite canadienne and Three Eskimos for piano. He also composed works based on Canadian and Inuit folklore/folk music and harmonized a...
and organists Eugène Lapierre
Eugène Lapierre
Eugène Lapierre was a Canadian organist, composer, journalist, writer on music, arts administrator, and music educator. He was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal in 1935 and the King George VI Coronation Medal in 1937...
and Émile Lambert.
In the early 1920s Mignault held organist posts briefly at St-Alphonse d'Youville, St-Étienne, Ste-Cunégonde, Ste-Catherine, and St-Georges in Montreal. In 1924 he was appointed organist at St-Enfant-Jésus Church, a position he held through 1957. He also served as that church's choirmaster from 1944-1957. In 1937 he began working as an organist and pianist for CBC Radio
CBC Radio
CBC Radio generally refers to the English-language radio operations of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The CBC operates a number of radio networks serving different audiences and programming niches, all of which are outlined below.-English:CBC Radio operates three English language...
, appearing on radio broadcasts periodically up into the 1950s. He notably succeeded Henri Letondal as artistic director of the CKAC radio program L'Heure provinciale from 1938-1940.
In 1943 Mignault joined the music faculty of the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Montréal where he taught solfège
Solfege
In music, solfège is a pedagogical solmization technique for the teaching of sight-singing in which each note of the score is sung to a special syllable, called a solfège syllable...
and musical dictation through 1961. He also taught voice and solfège for the Montreal Catholic School Board from 1944-1957. He died in Montreal in 1961 at the age of 65. His son André Mignault had a successful career as a cellist.