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Composer  

 

Benoit Jutras is a Canadian composer and musician who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on May 16, 1959, in Montreal, Quebec, Jutras grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a singer. From a young age, Jutras was exposed to a wide range of musical genres, including jazz, classical, and pop. Jutras began his formal music education at the age of six when he started taking piano lessons. He quickly showed a natural talent for music and began composing his own pieces at the age of ten. Jutras continued his music education throughout his teenage years, studying piano, composition, and orchestration. In 1981, Jutras graduated from the University of Montreal with a degree in music composition. After graduation, he began working as a freelance composer, writing music for film, television, and theater. Jutras quickly gained a reputation as a talented composer, and his work was soon in high demand. One of Jutras' early successes was his work on the Cirque du Soleil show "Saltimbanco." Jutras composed the music for the show, which premiered in 1992 and went on to become one of Cirque du Soleil's most popular productions. Jutras' music for "Saltimbanco" was praised for its innovative use of electronic and acoustic instruments, as well as its ability to capture the energy and excitement of the circus. Jutras continued to work with Cirque du Soleil throughout the 1990s, composing music for several of the company's shows, including "Mystere," "Quidam," and "Alegria." Jutras' music for these shows was characterized by its use of world music influences, including African, Middle Eastern, and Latin American rhythms and melodies. In addition to his work with Cirque du Soleil, Jutras also composed music for several films and television shows. One of his most notable film scores was for the 1995 film "L'Enfant d'eau," which won the Genie Award for Best Original Score. Jutras' music for the film was praised for its haunting and atmospheric quality, which perfectly captured the film's dark and mysterious tone. Throughout his career, Jutras has also composed music for several orchestral works, including symphonies, concertos, and chamber music. One of his most notable orchestral works is his Symphony No. 1, which premiered in 2001. The symphony is characterized by its use of lush harmonies and soaring melodies, and has been praised for its emotional depth and complexity. Jutras' music has been performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world, including the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra. His music has also been featured in several international music festivals, including the Montreal Jazz Festival and the Edinburgh International Festival. In addition to his work as a composer, Jutras is also an accomplished pianist and conductor. He has performed as a soloist with several orchestras, and has conducted his own music with ensembles around the world. Jutras' contributions to the world of classical music have been recognized with several awards and honors. In 1996, he was awarded the Prix Denise-Pelletier, one of the highest honors for artists in Quebec. In 2002, he was awarded the Order of Canada, one of the country's highest civilian honors. Today, Jutras continues to compose music and perform as a pianist and conductor.

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