Romain-Octave Pelletier II
Encyclopedia
Romain-Octave Pelletier II (sometimes spelled Peltier) (26 August 1904 - 11 January 1968) was a Canadian music critic, music producer, and violin
ist.
, Pelletier was a member of a prominent musical family in Montreal. Named after his grandfather, musician Romain-Octave Pelletier I
, he was the son of conductor, composer, and music critic Frédéric Pelletier
. His uncles Romain Pelletier
and Victor Pelletier were also successful musicians. He had his earliest musical training from the men in his family and was a violin student of Albert Chamberland
.
Pelletier initially intended to become a lawyer and accordingly pursued law studies at the Université de Montréal
where he earned a Bachelor of Arts
in 1924 and a Bachelor of Laws
in 1927. While a student he began working as a music critic in 1922 for publications like Le Devoir
and La Revue moderne. From 1928-1933 he worked as a notary
in Montreal.
In 1933 Pelletier began working for the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission
as a host and commentator for the Canadian national broadcasts of the Metropolitan Opera
and the New York Philharmonic
. In 1939 he joined the staff of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
in Montreal as a radio producer where he also served as the assistant record librarian from 1941-1944. He continued to work as a producer for the CBC through 1964 where he was responsible for many programs, including Festivals du Mercredi and The Little Symphonies.
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.
Early life and career
Born in Saint-Lambert, QuebecSaint-Lambert, Quebec
Saint-Lambert is a Canadian city in the province of Quebec located opposite Montreal on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River. Saint-Lambert was named for either the early French Canadian hunter Lambert Closse or for Roman Catholic Bishop Lambert of Maastricht...
, Pelletier was a member of a prominent musical family in Montreal. Named after his grandfather, musician 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:...
, he was the son of conductor, composer, and music critic Frédéric Pelletier
Frédéric Pelletier
Frédéric Pelletier was a Canadian choir conductor, music educator, composer, music critic, journalist, civil servant, military officer, and physician. He was one of the principal music critics in Montreal during the first half of the 20th century, having worked in that capacity for every major...
. His uncles Romain Pelletier
Romain Pelletier
Romain Pelletier was a Canadian organist, choir conductor, composer, and music educator. His compositional output consists entirely of works for solo organ and motets...
and Victor Pelletier were also successful musicians. He had his earliest musical training from the men in his family and was a violin student of 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...
.
Pelletier initially intended to become a lawyer and accordingly pursued law 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...
where he earned a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in 1924 and a Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
in 1927. While a student he began working as a music critic in 1922 for publications like Le Devoir
Le Devoir
Le Devoir is a French-language newspaper published in Montreal and distributed in Quebec and the rest of Canada. It was founded by journalist, politician, and nationalist Henri Bourassa in 1910....
and La Revue moderne. From 1928-1933 he worked as a notary
Notary
A notary is a lawyer or person with legal training who is licensed by the state to perform acts in legal affairs, in particular witnessing signatures on documents...
in Montreal.
In 1933 Pelletier began working for the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission
Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission
The Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission was Canada's first public broadcaster and the immediate precursor to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.-Origins:...
as a host and commentator for the Canadian national broadcasts of the Metropolitan Opera
Metropolitan Opera
The Metropolitan Opera is an opera company, located in New York City. Originally founded in 1880, the company gave its first performance on October 22, 1883. The company is operated by the non-profit Metropolitan Opera Association, with Peter Gelb as general manager...
and the New York Philharmonic
New York Philharmonic
The New York Philharmonic is a symphony orchestra based in New York City in the United States. It is one of the American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five"...
. In 1939 he joined the staff of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
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...
in Montreal as a radio producer where he also served as the assistant record librarian from 1941-1944. He continued to work as a producer for the CBC through 1964 where he was responsible for many programs, including Festivals du Mercredi and The Little Symphonies.