Mario Duschenes was a Canadian classical flutist who was born on August 22, 1923, in Montreal, Quebec. He was the son of a Hungarian father and a French-Canadian mother. Duschenes grew up in a musical family, and his father was a violinist who played in the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. Duschenes began playing the flute at the age of 12 and quickly showed a natural talent for the instrument. Duschenes studied at the Montreal Conservatory of Music, where he was a student of Jean-Paul Major. He later studied with Marcel Moyse in Switzerland and William Kincaid in the United States. Duschenes was known for his technical proficiency and his ability to play with great expression and emotion. Duschenes made his debut as a soloist with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra in 1945, and he quickly established himself as one of Canada's leading flutists. He went on to perform with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his work as a soloist, Duschenes was also a dedicated chamber musician. He was a founding member of the Montreal Woodwind Quintet, which was formed in 1959. The quintet quickly gained a reputation for its innovative programming and virtuosic performances. The group went on to tour extensively throughout North America and Europe, and they recorded many albums for RCA Victor. Duschenes was also a respected teacher, and he taught at the Montreal Conservatory of Music for many years. He was known for his patient and encouraging teaching style, and many of his students went on to have successful careers as professional musicians. Throughout his career, Duschenes received many awards and honors. In 1967, he was awarded the Order of Canada, which is the highest civilian honor in Canada. He was also awarded the Prix Denise-Pelletier, which is the highest honor for the arts in Quebec. In 1988, he was awarded the Molson Prize, which is one of Canada's most prestigious awards for the arts. Duschenes continued to perform and teach until his death on January 6, 2006, at the age of 82. He left behind a legacy as one of Canada's greatest flutists and a beloved teacher and mentor to generations of musicians.

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