Gilles Tremblay

Biography

Fleuves, Champs, Souffles, Musique du Feu, L’Arbre de Borobodur, Le sifflement des vents, Solstices, Aubes, Cèdres en voile, Chants convergents, les vêpres de la Vierge …are titles of works that are at the heart of the music of Gilles Tremblay, a music steeped in nature, a music of poetry and rhythm. (the Greek for flowing is rhein, root of the word rhythm, flowing water being the essence of what represents rhythm for Tremblay). He was one of the first contemporary composers in Quebec, one of the first to present concerts and to teach contemporary music at the Conservatoire de Montréal. Exploration is one of his primary goals and is characteristic of the work of Tremblay. His name can be found in the Petit Larousse.

Gilles Tremblay composed and worked closely with Claude Champagne. During his stay in Europe he met many important composers: Stockhausen in Darmstadt, and in 1959 Amy, Boucourechliev, Ferrari, Mâche, Malec and Xénakis, during a workshop at the ORTF under the direction of P. Schaeffer. He was awarded the prix Calixa-Lavallée in 1967 for his soundscape at the Quebec Pavilion. In 1992, he was awarded the prix Denise-Pelletier, the highest honour awarded by the Government of Quebec for performers. Gilles Tremblay is a Chevalier de l’Ordre des arts et des lettres de la République Française. In 2007, l’Académie des sciences et des Beaux-arts de France awarded him the Prix de la composition musicale de la Fondation Cino Del Duca 2007 for his body of work.

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