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Albert Millaire was a renowned classical music artist who was born on January 18, 1935, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He was the son of a well-known actor, Jean Duceppe, and a singer, Huguette Oligny. Millaire grew up in a family that was deeply involved in the arts, and he was exposed to music and theater from a very young age. Millaire began his musical training at the age of six, when he started taking piano lessons. He quickly showed a natural talent for music, and by the time he was a teenager, he was already performing in public. He continued his musical studies at the Conservatoire de musique du Québec, where he studied piano, voice, and conducting. In 1956, Millaire made his debut as a conductor with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. He quickly gained a reputation as a talented and innovative conductor, and he was soon in demand by orchestras all over Canada and the United States. In 1960, he was appointed the conductor of the Quebec Symphony Orchestra, a position he held for five years. During his tenure with the Quebec Symphony Orchestra, Millaire became known for his innovative programming and his ability to bring new audiences to classical music. He was also a champion of Canadian composers, and he commissioned and premiered many new works during his time with the orchestra. In 1965, Millaire left the Quebec Symphony Orchestra to pursue a career as a solo pianist. He quickly established himself as one of the leading pianists of his generation, and he performed all over the world. He was particularly known for his interpretations of the works of Beethoven, Mozart, and Chopin. Millaire's career as a pianist was interrupted in 1970, when he suffered a serious injury to his right hand. He was forced to take a break from performing, and he used the time to focus on his conducting career. In 1972, he was appointed the conductor of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, a position he held for six years. During his time with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Millaire continued to be a champion of Canadian composers, and he commissioned and premiered many new works. He also conducted many of the great works of the classical repertoire, and he was known for his ability to bring out the emotional depth and complexity of the music. In 1978, Millaire returned to his career as a pianist, and he continued to perform all over the world. He also began to teach, and he was a professor of piano at the Conservatoire de musique du Québec for many years. Throughout his career, Millaire received many awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 1973, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada, and in 1985, he was promoted to Companion, the highest level of the order. He was also awarded the Prix Denise-Pelletier, the highest honor for the arts in Quebec, in 1982. Millaire continued to perform and teach until his death on August 15, 2018, at the age of 83. He was remembered as a passionate and dedicated musician who had a profound impact on the world of classical music. His legacy lives on through his recordings, his students, and the many musicians he inspired throughout his career.

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