Ernest Gagnon
Encyclopedia
Ernest Gagnon was a Canadian folklorist, composer
, and organist
. He is best known for compiling a large amount of French Canadian folk music
which he published as Chansons populaires du Canada in 1865-1867. Many of his arts songs, choral pieces, and works for solo piano have been published by the Canadian Musical Heritage Society and by Adélard Joseph Boucher
. His piano work Stadaconé (1858) was notably the first notated composition to be based on the music of the aboriginal peoples in Canada
.
Born in Rivière-du-Loup, Gagnon was from a prominent family of musicians in Québec City. He is the brother of composer Gustave Gagnon
and the uncle of composer Henri Gagnon
. His sister Élisabeth was married to pianist Paul Letondal. He studied the organ with Charles Wugk Sabatier
. From 1853-1864 he was the organist of Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church, and held a similar position at the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
from 1864-1876. He was greatly admired for his virtuoso
performances on the organ and was also considered an expert at plainsong
accompaniment. He died in Quebec City at the age of 80 and is buried at the Cimetière Notre-Dame-de-Belmont
.
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 organist
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...
. He is best known for compiling a large amount of French Canadian folk music
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
which he published as Chansons populaires du Canada in 1865-1867. Many of his arts songs, choral pieces, and works for solo piano have been published by the Canadian Musical Heritage Society and 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...
. His piano work Stadaconé (1858) was notably the first notated composition to be based on the music of the aboriginal peoples in Canada
Aboriginal peoples in Canada
Aboriginal peoples in Canada comprise the First Nations, Inuit and Métis. The descriptors "Indian" and "Eskimo" have fallen into disuse in Canada and are commonly considered pejorative....
.
Born in Rivière-du-Loup, Gagnon was from a prominent family of musicians in Québec City. He is the brother of composer Gustave Gagnon
Gustave Gagnon
Gustave Adolphe Mathurin Gagnon was a Canadian organist, composer, and music educator.-Family background and education:...
and the uncle of composer Henri Gagnon
Henri Gagnon
Henri Gagnon was a Canadian composer, organist, and music educator. He spent 51 years playing the organ at the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré where, according to music historian François Brassard, he earned "a prestige similar to that of the famous organists of Europe"...
. His sister Élisabeth was married to pianist Paul Letondal. He studied the organ with Charles Wugk Sabatier
Charles Wugk Sabatier
Charles-Désiré-Joseph Wugk Sabatier was a Canadian pianist, organist, composer, and music educator of French birth.-Early life and career in Europe:...
. From 1853-1864 he was the organist of Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church, and held a similar position at the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
The Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is a basilica set along the Saint Lawrence River in Quebec, Canada, east of Quebec City. It has been credited by the Roman Catholic Church with many miracles of curing the sick and disabled. It is an important Catholic sanctuary which receives about a...
from 1864-1876. He was greatly admired for his virtuoso
Virtuoso
A virtuoso is an individual who possesses outstanding technical ability in the fine arts, at singing or playing a musical instrument. The plural form is either virtuosi or the Anglicisation, virtuosos, and the feminine form sometimes used is virtuosa...
performances on the organ and was also considered an expert at plainsong
Plainsong
Plainsong is a body of chants used in the liturgies of the Catholic Church. Though the Eastern Orthodox churches and the Catholic Church did not split until long after the origin of plainchant, Byzantine chants are generally not classified as plainsong.Plainsong is monophonic, consisting of a...
accompaniment. He died in Quebec City at the age of 80 and is buried at the Cimetière Notre-Dame-de-Belmont
Cimetière Notre-Dame-de-Belmont
The Cimetière Notre-Dame-de-Belmont is located at 2176 avenue Chapdelaine in Quebec City in the province of Quebec, Canada. The cemetery was built between 1857 and 1859.-Notable interments:...
.
External links
- IMSLP Score of Stadaconé, indian dance for piano (1858).