Réjean Poirier

Poirier, Réjean

Réjean Poirier. Organist, harpsichordist, teacher, composer, b St-Alphonse-Rodriguez, near Joliette, Que, 22 Apr 1950; premier prix organ (CMM) 1971, certificat d'études supérieures harpsichord (CMM) 1971. He studied piano and organ 1960-5 with his brother Lucien, organ 1965-6 with Antoine Bouchard at Laval University, and organ under Bernard Lagacé and harpsichord with Kenneth Gilbert 1967-71 at the CMM. He won first prize in 1970 in the John Robb Organ Competition. He continued his studies 1971-3 with Xavier Darasse at the Toulouse Cons and won 1972-3 several international awards including a first prize at the 1973 J.S. Bach International Organ Competition in Bruges.

On his return to Montreal (1973) Poirier joined the faculty of the University of Montreal, where he was named vice-dean of graduate studies and research in 1986. He has also taught at Laval University, Concordia University, the St-Laurent Cegep, Vanier College, and the Orford Art Centre. He began researching the use of graphic symbols in composition as a substitute for traditional notation. He participated in the founding of the Pro organo in 1970, the Concerts d'orgue de Montréal in 1974, and the Studio de musique ancienne de Montréal in 1974, co-directing the latter with Christopher Jackson for nearly 15 years. He has given many recitals in Canada, the USA, and Europe and has performed for CBC radio.

Poirier's compositions include Hallucinations I for trumpet, organ, and percussion (premiered in Toulouse in January 1973), Trope for two percussionists and piano (1973, commissioned by the Toulouse Cons for its chamber music class), and Arcane for organ, which he premiered in Montreal in May 1977.

Writings

'Le Livre d'orgue de Montréal: le point de vue d'un l'interprète,' Orgue francophone, May 1989

See also Writings for Lucien Poirier