Lucien Martin
Encyclopedia
Lucien Martin was a Canadian violin
ist, conductor
, and composer
. Only one of his compositions was published, the art song La Chanson des belles, which was performed by Jeanne Desjardins in its premiere on the CBC Radio
program Sérénade pour cordes.
at the age of 7. He excelled at the school and earned a gold meld just a couple years later. He was named "the champion young violinist of the world" by the American press after a triumphant concert at the Central Theater in Biddeford, Maine
in 1916.
Martin continued his violin studies in Montreal with Albert Chamberland
(1917–1920), Alfred De Sève
(1920–1923), and Camille Couture (1923–1925). He also studied harmony
with Georges-Émile Tanguay
. From 1925–1928 he toured the United States as a concert and recital violinist. He won the Prix d'Europe
in 1931 which enabled him to pursue further studies in France at the École Normale de Musique de Paris
with Maurice Hayot. He earned a 'licence de concert' from the school in 1933.
In July 1933 Martin returned to his native city. He was an active recitalist in Montreal and also appeared numerous times as a soloist on the radio during the 1930s and 1940s. He played in the first violin section of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra
and was notably the featured soloist in the orchestra's second concert on 4 February 1935 in a performance of Max Bruch
's Violin Concerto No. 1
. La Presse said in its review of his performance that he played with a "passionate interpretation and confident technique."
In 1936 Martin returned to Paris where he worked with George Enescu
. He returned to Montreal the following year to become the second violinist in the Dubois String Quartet
with whom he played for one season. He also frequently played for radio programs on CKAC and on the CBC
program Les Joyeux Troubadours during the late 1930s. During the 1940s he conducted a number of public concerts. He died in 1950 in Montreal at the age of 42.
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist, conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
, and 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...
. Only one of his compositions was published, the art song La Chanson des belles, which was performed by Jeanne Desjardins in its premiere on the 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...
program Sérénade pour cordes.
Life and career
Born in Montreal, Martin was the son of violinist and string-instrument maker Cyrice Martin. He began his musical training with his father before entering the Conservatoire national de musiqueConservatoire national de musique
Conservatoire national de musique was a music conservatory in Montreal, Quebec that was actively providing higher education in music during the first eight decades of the 20th century...
at the age of 7. He excelled at the school and earned a gold meld just a couple years later. He was named "the champion young violinist of the world" by the American press after a triumphant concert at the Central Theater in Biddeford, Maine
Biddeford, Maine
Biddeford is a town in York County, Maine, United States. It is the largest town in the county, and is the sixth-largest in the state. It is the most southerly incorporated town in the state and the principal commercial center of York County. The population was 21,277 at the 2010 census...
in 1916.
Martin continued his violin studies in Montreal with Albert Chamberland
Albert Chamberland
Albert Chamberland was a Canadian violinist, composer, conductor, music producer, and music educator. As a violinist he was highly active as a chamber musician with a number of notable ensembles, including the Beethoven Trio with whom he made some early recordings for His Master's Voice during the...
(1917–1920), Alfred De Sève
Alfred De Sève
Alfred De Sève was a Canadian violinist, composer, and music educator. His compositional output includes works for violin and piano, solo piano, and orchestra; many of which were published by Arthur P. Schmidt and Charles H...
(1920–1923), and Camille Couture (1923–1925). He also studied harmony
Harmony
In music, harmony is the use of simultaneous pitches , or chords. The study of harmony involves chords and their construction and chord progressions and the principles of connection that govern them. Harmony is often said to refer to the "vertical" aspect of music, as distinguished from melodic...
with Georges-Émile Tanguay
Georges-Émile Tanguay
Georges-Émile Tanguay was a Canadian composer, organist, pianist, and music educator. An associate of the Canadian Music Centre, his compositional output is relatively small; consisting of 4 orchestral works, 4 chamber music pieces, 9 works for solo piano, 2 works for solo organ, and 4 choral works...
. From 1925–1928 he toured the United States as a concert and recital violinist. He won the Prix d'Europe
Prix d'Europe
The Prix d'Europe is a prestigious Canadian study grant that is funded by the Ministère des Affaires culturelles du Québec of the Government of Quebec. Established in 1911, the award has been distributed annually to a single individual through competition with the exception of 1960-1973 and 2009...
in 1931 which enabled him to pursue further studies in France at the École Normale de Musique de Paris
École Normale de Musique de Paris
The École Normale de Musique de Paris is a leading conservatoire located in Paris, France. The school was founded by Auguste Mangeot and pianist Alfred Cortot in 1919...
with Maurice Hayot. He earned a 'licence de concert' from the school in 1933.
In July 1933 Martin returned to his native city. He was an active recitalist in Montreal and also appeared numerous times as a soloist on the radio during the 1930s and 1940s. He played in the first violin section of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra
Montreal Symphony Orchestra
Orchestre symphonique de Montréal is a symphony orchestra based in Montréal, Québec, Canada, with Montréal's Place des Arts as its home.-History:...
and was notably the featured soloist in the orchestra's second concert on 4 February 1935 in a performance of Max Bruch
Max Bruch
Max Christian Friedrich Bruch , also known as Max Karl August Bruch, was a German Romantic composer and conductor who wrote over 200 works, including three violin concertos, the first of which has become a staple of the violin repertoire.-Life:Bruch was born in Cologne, Rhine Province, where he...
's Violin Concerto No. 1
Violin Concerto No. 1 (Bruch)
Max Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26, is one of the most popular violin concertos in the repertoire. It continues to be performed and recorded by many violinists and is arguably Bruch's most famous composition.- History :...
. La Presse said in its review of his performance that he played with a "passionate interpretation and confident technique."
In 1936 Martin returned to Paris where he worked with George Enescu
George Enescu
George Enescu was a Romanian composer, violinist, pianist, conductor and teacher.-Biography:Enescu was born in the village of Liveni , Dorohoi County at the time, today Botoşani County. He showed musical talent from early in his childhood. A child prodigy, Enescu created his first musical...
. He returned to Montreal the following year to become the second violinist in the Dubois String Quartet
Dubois String Quartet
The Dubois String Quartet was a Canadian string quartet that actively performed for 28 consecutive seasons from 1910 to 1938. The ensemble was founded and led by cellist Jean-Baptiste Dubois who was the only member of the group to play in every season. The other original members were violinists...
with whom he played for one season. He also frequently played for radio programs on CKAC and on the CBC
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
program Les Joyeux Troubadours during the late 1930s. During the 1940s he conducted a number of public concerts. He died in 1950 in Montreal at the age of 42.