Charles Sauvageau
Encyclopedia
Louis Charles Sauvageau was a Canadian
conductor
, composer
, and music educator. He is believed to be the first native of Quebec to devote his entire life to music. An August 1844 article in the periodical Le Ménestrel, described him as the "first national musician [of Canada]".
, Sauvageau was a largely self taught musician, although he most likely received some instruction from Jean-Chrysostome Brauneis I for whose band he played in 1831-1832. In 1833 he founded his own quadrille
band, which he conducted until his death 16 years later. He also conducted several other ensemles, including the Quebec Militia Artillery Band (1833–1836), the band of the Petit Séminaire (1841–1844), Musique Canadienne (beginning in 1842), the band for the St Jean-Baptiste Society (from 1842), and the Quebec Philharmonic Union (1848-9).
Sauvageau was also active as an organizer of concerts and informal evenings of musical entertainment within his native city. Many of these events featured performances by his private students, such as Joseph Lyonnais and Napoléon Aubin; the latter of whom became his brother-in-law. His son Flavien (born 1831) was a violin
prodigy
, but unfortunately he died at the age of 15 on 12 June 1846 in the tragic fire that destroyed the St-Louis theatre.
Towards the end of his life, Sauvageau ran a music store. He died in Quebec City at the age of 41.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, and music educator. He is believed to be the first native of Quebec to devote his entire life to music. An August 1844 article in the periodical Le Ménestrel, described him as the "first national musician [of Canada]".
Life
Born in Quebec CityQuebec City
Quebec , also Québec, Quebec City or Québec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about to the southwest...
, Sauvageau was a largely self taught musician, although he most likely received some instruction from Jean-Chrysostome Brauneis I for whose band he played in 1831-1832. In 1833 he founded his own quadrille
Quadrille
Quadrille is a historic dance performed by four couples in a square formation, a precursor to traditional square dancing. It is also a style of music...
band, which he conducted until his death 16 years later. He also conducted several other ensemles, including the Quebec Militia Artillery Band (1833–1836), the band of the Petit Séminaire (1841–1844), Musique Canadienne (beginning in 1842), the band for the St Jean-Baptiste Society (from 1842), and the Quebec Philharmonic Union (1848-9).
Sauvageau was also active as an organizer of concerts and informal evenings of musical entertainment within his native city. Many of these events featured performances by his private students, such as Joseph Lyonnais and Napoléon Aubin; the latter of whom became his brother-in-law. His son Flavien (born 1831) was a violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
prodigy
Child prodigy
A child prodigy is someone who, at an early age, masters one or more skills far beyond his or her level of maturity. One criterion for classifying prodigies is: a prodigy is a child, typically younger than 18 years old, who is performing at the level of a highly trained adult in a very demanding...
, but unfortunately he died at the age of 15 on 12 June 1846 in the tragic fire that destroyed the St-Louis theatre.
Towards the end of his life, Sauvageau ran a music store. He died in Quebec City at the age of 41.