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Any André Mathieu Appreciation?

BenG

Senior Member
Listening to the radio the other day and came across this fantastic, Canadian composer André Mathieu and his Concerto No. 3 "De Québec". Honestly, a bit ashamed to have never heard any of his work before but absolutely loved his piece and thought it was a cool (very late romantic?) style with shades of Gershwin, Debussy/Ravel, Rachmaninoff, etc. Anyway, just wanted to share and hope you enjoy! :)

 
Wow, this is nice!

In the first movement, I also hear a lot of Saint-Saens and a rather direct homage to Brahms 2 piano concerto at 7:12, almost a quote. The second movement (adagio?) is stunning!

Thanks for posting this, I'll check him out!
 
Wow, this is nice!

In the first movement, I also hear a lot of Saint-Saens and a rather direct homage to Brahms 2 piano concerto at 7:12, almost a quote. The second movement (adagio?) is stunning!

Thanks for posting this, I'll check him out!

Yup, it's a real eclectic mix of influences that are really cool! Tbh, I was shocked to hear this was composed in 1947/48 and still following the Romantic idiom. Also, checking out his other works right now...
 
His Concerto has been composed at 14 years old.

You may also like Kaleidoscope from another composer, Pierre Mercure

 
I listened to the first movement, but I'm not a fan. I don't hear the structure, the form, that I like in e.g. Brahms, nor the coherent lyricism of Rachmaninoff.
 
I listened to the first movement, but I'm not a fan. I don't hear the structure, the form, that I like in e.g. Brahms, nor the coherent lyricism of Rachmaninoff.

I wonder if this is because we expect the first movement to be a sonata form and this one isn't?

To my ears, this first movement is more like a theme with variations: the original arpeggiated piano sets the theme that consists of 2 parts, and it is then repeated with some significant variation 3 or 4 times until new theme comes in around 3:45 (at least it sounds like a new theme to me!)
 
His music for the 1976 Montreal Olympics is terrific. I remember listening to that album non stop as an 8 year old that year.

As a Montrealer, I can't believe I haven the heard this yet. Will need to listen ASAP!
 
I listened to the first movement, but I'm not a fan. I don't hear the structure, the form, that I like in e.g. Brahms, nor the coherent lyricism of Rachmaninoff.

'Chacun à son gout!' :)

I can definitely hear what you are saying though and would agree with @youngpokie about the theme and variations. (It is definitely not a favourite form of mine either...)
 
As a Montrealer, I can't believe I haven the heard this yet. Will need to listen ASAP!
I don’t think it’s available outside of a record album. I found a great copy for my dad’s 65th birthday and bought him a USB turntable to rip it but it’s criminal that it hasn’t been officially released on CD or digitally
 
I don’t think it’s available outside of a record album. I found a great copy for my dad’s 65th birthday and bought him a USB turntable to rip it but it’s criminal that it hasn’t been officially released on CD or digitally

Agree and will have to check some Villages des Valeurs for a copy :)
 
Nice find and thank you for sharing! Really interesting piece and the Disco part really threw me for a loop! Haha Sign of the times, I guess...:)
 
I like the Native American music part. It's not got the disco background. It does have an electric bass in places but I don't mind it.
 
I like the Native American music part. It's not got the disco background. It does have an electric bass in places but I don't mind it.

Ya and was shocked to hear that in the piece as well! Such an interesting composer with a truly unique style of brining things together! Great find @dcoscina
 
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