Jacques Simard

Simard, Jacques

Jacques Simard. Oboist, teacher, born Quebec City 23 Feb 1941, died Quebec City 17 May 2009; premier prix oboe (CMQ) 1958, premiers prix, oboe and chamber music (Paris Cons) 1962.

At nine he began studying oboe at the CMQ with Réal Gagnier. He studied 1958-61 at the Paris Cons with Étienne Baudo (oboe), Norbert Dufourcq (history), and Fernand Oubradous (chamber music). Under the aegis of the JM, he played Jacques Hétu's Quatre pièces in 1961 at Carnegie Hall. He toured for the JMC (Youth and Music Canada) in 1962 with the harpsichordist Donald Thomson and 1962-3 as a member of the Trio canadien with Gail Grimstead (flute) and Pierre Hétu (piano); the trio gave the premiere of André Prévost's Triptyque. In 1963 Simard made his debut with the MSO (simultaneously with Pierre Hétu's debut as a conductor).

In 1966 he was appointed principal oboe with the Quebec Symphony Orchestra, a post which he held until 1988. In 1970 he founded the Ensemble instrumental du Québec with whom he made recordings. He also recorded six sonatas for oboe and continuo by Handel, Boismortier, Telemann, and Locatelli with Kenneth Gilbert, harpsichord and Michael Carpenter, cello (1965), and sonatas by Hindemith, Dutilleux, and Poulenc with Jeanne Landry, piano (1968). He and the pianist Louise Forand performed together 1970-3; they gave duo- recitals for the CBC, in 1971 in Stratford, Ont, and in 1972 at the Orford ArtS Centre. He began teaching at the CMQ in 1966.

In 1973 Simard married flutist Barbara Todd who became principal flute with the Quebec SO in 1968 and premiered Denis Bédard's Concerto for flute and strings in 1988.