Romain Pelletier
Encyclopedia
Romain Pelletier (22 August 1875 - 24 November 1953) was a Canadian organist
, choir
conductor
, composer
, and music educator. His compositional output consists entirely of works for solo organ and motet
s. He was a founding member of the Société des artistes musiciens de Montréal and was a much admired teacher of counterpoint
, fugue
, and the organ.
, the brother of composer and conductor Frédéric Pelletier
, and the uncle of violinist Romain-Octave Pelletier II
. His other brother Victor was a cellist in J.-J. Goulet's Montreal Symphony Orchestra of which he also served as music librarian.
Pelletier studied the piano and organ in his native city with Arthur Letondal and was a singing and harmony student of Achille Fortier
. In 1909 he became organist/choirmaster at Saint-Léon de Westmount Church
, a position he held through 1951. He taught throughout his career, both privately and at the Institut Nazareth. Among his notable students are Fleurette Beauchamp, Gabriel Cusson
, Guillaume Dupuis, Conrad Letendre, and Georges-Émile Tanguay
.
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
, choir
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
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. His compositional output consists entirely of works for solo organ and motet
Motet
In classical music, motet is a word that is applied to a number of highly varied choral musical compositions.-Etymology:The name comes either from the Latin movere, or a Latinized version of Old French mot, "word" or "verbal utterance." The Medieval Latin for "motet" is motectum, and the Italian...
s. He was a founding member of the Société des artistes musiciens de Montréal and was a much admired teacher of counterpoint
Counterpoint
In music, counterpoint is the relationship between two or more voices that are independent in contour and rhythm and are harmonically interdependent . It has been most commonly identified in classical music, developing strongly during the Renaissance and in much of the common practice period,...
, fugue
Fugue
In music, a fugue is a compositional technique in two or more voices, built on a subject that is introduced at the beginning in imitation and recurs frequently in the course of the composition....
, and the organ.
Life and career
Born in Montreal, Pelletier was part of a prominent musical family in Quebec. He was the son of musician Romain-Octave Pelletier IRomain-Octave Pelletier I
Romain-Octave Pelletier I was a Canadian organist, pianist, composer, writer on music, and music educator.-Early life and career:...
, the brother of composer and conductor Frédéric Pelletier
Frédéric Pelletier
Frédéric Pelletier was a Canadian choir conductor, music educator, composer, music critic, journalist, civil servant, military officer, and physician. He was one of the principal music critics in Montreal during the first half of the 20th century, having worked in that capacity for every major...
, and the uncle of violinist Romain-Octave Pelletier II
Romain-Octave Pelletier II
Romain-Octave Pelletier II was a Canadian music critic, music producer, and violinist.-Early life and career:...
. His other brother Victor was a cellist in J.-J. Goulet's Montreal Symphony Orchestra of which he also served as music librarian.
Pelletier studied the piano and organ in his native city with Arthur Letondal and was a singing and harmony student of Achille Fortier
Achille Fortier
Achille Fortier was a Canadian composer and music educator. His compositional output includes a modest amount of choral and chamber works, several songs and motets, and a small amount of symphonic music. A considerable portion of his compositions are religious in nature...
. In 1909 he became organist/choirmaster at Saint-Léon de Westmount Church
Saint-Léon de Westmount Church
Saint-Léon de Westmount Church is a Roman Catholic church located in Westmount, Quebec at 4311 De Maisonneuve Boulevard West. Built in 1901, the church was designed by well known Montreal architect Georges-Alphonse Monette and decorated by Guido Nincheri from 1901 to 1903, using the wet plaster...
, a position he held through 1951. He taught throughout his career, both privately and at the Institut Nazareth. Among his notable students are Fleurette Beauchamp, Gabriel Cusson
Gabriel Cusson
Gabriel Cusson was a Canadian composer and music educator. As a composer, his music was heavily influenced by the style of early 20th century French composers...
, Guillaume Dupuis, Conrad Letendre, and Georges-Émile Tanguay
Georges-Émile Tanguay
Georges-Émile Tanguay was a Canadian composer, organist, pianist, and music educator. An associate of the Canadian Music Centre, his compositional output is relatively small; consisting of 4 orchestral works, 4 chamber music pieces, 9 works for solo piano, 2 works for solo organ, and 4 choral works...
.