Pierre Morin

Morin, Pierre

Pierre (Paul) Morin. Cellist, conductor, teacher, b Montreal 27 Nov 1936; performance diploma cello (École normale, Paris) 1963. He studied 1954-8 at the CMM with Yvette Lamontagne and won the Prix Archambault in 1957. In Paris 1958-63 he worked under André Navarra (cello), Jean Francaix (chamber music), and Yvonne Loriod (piano). He also studied summers with Navarra at the Accademia Chigiana in Siena. In Paris, in March 1962, with the pianist Rachel Martel, he premiered André Prévost'sSonate, which was dedicated to him. He joined the Quebec Symphony Orchestra In 1964 and became its principal cello in 1967, the year he began teaching at the CMQ. He founded and conducted the Orchestre de chambre Pierre-Morin 1970-82, which premiered several Canadian works including, Images by Brenton Price Dutton, Adagio by Michel Meynaud, Concerto for harpsichord by Pierick Houdy (1973), Distique by Renald Saint-Pierre(1974), and José Evangelista'sMiroir fugace (1975, commissioned by the Grand Théâtre de Québec).

His brother, Jean C. Morin, flautist, (b Montreal, 26 Aug 1933), was principal solo at the Quebec SO (1960-4), and assistant flute solo at the MSO 1964-9. He participated in the SMCQ concerts 1969-77 and was a member of the Quebec Wind Quintet 1972-87 with whom he made recordings. He taught at the CMQ, at McGill University and at the Conservatoire de Chicoutimi. He recorded Morel's Nuvattuq on the LP Solo (RCI 409) released in 1976 (see also Discographies of A.-S. Savoie; M. Tessier; G. Tremblay).

Pierre Morin married the cellist Huguette Pierre (b Nancy, France, 11 Mar 1936), who studied in 1951 at the Nancy Cons, 1952-61 at the Paris Cons and 1956-61 at the Accademia Chigiana. She joined the Quebec SO in 1964 and was appointed assistant principal cello in 1969. She began teaching at Laval University in 1970 and became a member of the Laval String Quartet in 1982.