Role

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Composer Conductor  

Birth

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July 30, 1940 in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

 

Marc Bélanger was a Canadian composer of classical music who was born on May 12, 1956, in Montreal, Quebec. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a pianist and his mother a singer. From a young age, Bélanger showed a keen interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of five. Bélanger's musical education began at the Conservatoire de musique du Québec, where he studied piano and composition. He later went on to study at the Université de Montréal, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. He continued his studies at the same institution, earning a Master of Music degree in composition. Bélanger's early works were heavily influenced by the music of the French Impressionists, particularly Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel. His compositions were characterized by their lush harmonies, delicate textures, and evocative melodies. Bélanger's music was also heavily influenced by his love of nature, and many of his works were inspired by the natural world. One of Bélanger's early works, "Les Jardins de l'Alhambra," was written for solo piano and was inspired by the gardens of the Alhambra palace in Granada, Spain. The piece is characterized by its delicate, flowing melodies and its use of Spanish rhythms and harmonies. Another notable work from Bélanger's early career is "La Danse des étoiles," which was written for orchestra. The piece is characterized by its shimmering textures and its use of celestial imagery. The work was well-received by critics and helped to establish Bélanger as a rising star in the Canadian classical music scene. In the 1990s, Bélanger began to experiment with more avant-garde forms of composition, incorporating elements of electronic music and musique concrète into his works. One of his most notable works from this period is "Le Chant des sirènes," which was written for tape and features a collage of sounds and textures, including recordings of ocean waves and electronic synthesizers. Despite his experimentation with new forms of composition, Bélanger remained committed to traditional forms of classical music, and many of his works continued to be inspired by the music of the past. One of his most notable works from this period is "Les Quatre Saisons," which was written for string quartet and is a tribute to the music of Antonio Vivaldi. Bélanger's later works were characterized by their complexity and their use of unconventional forms and structures. One of his most notable works from this period is "Le Jardin des délices," which was written for orchestra and is inspired by the triptych painting of the same name by Hieronymus Bosch. The piece is characterized by its use of unconventional harmonies and its complex, multi-layered textures. Throughout his career, Bélanger was recognized for his contributions to the Canadian classical music scene. He was the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Prix Opus for Composer of the Year in 1998 and the Order of Canada in 2005. Bélanger passed away on December 12, 2016, at the age of 60. His legacy as a composer of classical music continues to be celebrated by musicians and music lovers around the world.

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