Champagne Claude Champagne

Claude Champagne (27 May 1891 – 21 December 1965) was a Canadian composer.

Early life and education

Born in Montreal, Quebec, Champagne studied violin with Albert Chamberland, organ with Orpha-F. Deveaux, and piano with Romain-Octave Pelletier I and Alexis Contant at the Conservatoire national de musique. In 1921 he went straight to Paris to study music. By then he was drawn into modality, which stayed with him the rest of his life.

Career

At his return to Canada he became heavily involved with teaching, notably playing an instrumental role in establishing the Conservatoire de musique et d'art dramatique du Québec in 1942. In 1943 he was appointed the first assistant director of the Montreal Conservatoire. He was attached to the Montreal Catholic School Commission as co-ordinator of solfége in elementary schools, and he was at the same time professor at the McGill Conservatory. After that, he taught many Canadian composers including Jean Vallerand and François Morel.

Death

He died in Montreal in 1965.

Works

• Symphonie Gaspésienne
• Fantaisie "J'ai du bon tabac" - for orchestra
• Hercule et Omphale - for orchestra
• La Laurentienne - for orchestra
• Danse Villageoise
• Piano Concerto (Fiesta)
• Suite Canadienne - for choir and orchestra
• Berceuse - for small orchestra
• Prière - for organ
• Quadrilha Brasileira for Piano (1942)
• Many choral pieces

Awards and honours

In 1963, Champagne was presented with an award by the Canada Council.