André-Gilles Duchemin

André-Gilles Duchemin. Flutist, teacher, b Rouyn-Noranda, Que, 31 Jul 1952; premier prix flute (CMM) 1973. At seven he began piano and flute lessons at the Cons de Val-d'Or, where he continued to study until 1966. He then studied 1966-73 at the CMM with Hervé Baillargeon, Christian Lardé, and Jean-Paul Major. He was a winner in the Canadian Music Competitions in 1972, and took lessons 1971-4 with Robert Aitken at the University of Toronto. With grants from the Canada Council (1972) and the Quebec government (1974, 1975), he pursued advanced studies in Europe with Jean-Pierre Rampal and James Galway, among others. Duchemin has performed in public regularly from 1974 onwards, both in Quebec and internationally, especially in Europe. In 1985 with his brother, the pianist Mario Duchemin, he made a European tour which was warmly received by the public and the press; the critic Jean van Voorthuysen wrote 'André-Gilles Duchemin is not only a great master of the flute, a virtuoso of the instrument, a musician with the purest sonority and the most impeccable intonation, but he also brings to his art a rare sensitivity of style' (The Hague Het Vanderland, 31 Mar 1985). Besides his recitals, Duchemin has been a soloist with the McGill Chamber Orchestra, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the Stanford SO, and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. With the Orchestre métropolitain he recorded in 1986 his own version for flute of Kabalevsky's Violin Concerto, Opus 48. His arrangement received the composer's approval and was published by G. Schirmer in 1988. Duchemin has also arranged several other works by Beethoven, Telemann, and Genin for the Leduc publishing firm. In addition to his performing career he has been active as a teacher and artistic administrator, and has been director of his own recording firm, Amplitude.