PURCHASE CD

Mathieu Lussier

Mathieu Lussier has gained equal prominence as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral bassoonist and composer. One of the most active bassoonists in North America in the area of early music, he is the principal bassoonist of Violons du Roy and appears regularly with the Arion Ensemble of Montreal, Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, the Boston Early Music Festival and Apollo’s Fire of Cleveland.

As a soloist, his newest release has attracted rave reviews and features works of François Devienne for bassoon and strings, including Mathieu’s own arrangement of Devienne’s comic opera, Les Visitandines. Other recordings include Vivaldi’s Double Concerto for Oboe and Bassoon in G Major, the Graupner Concerto in B flat Major and a recording of Les Délices de la Solitudes with the viol ensemble, Les Voix Humaines. All of these recordings are on the ATMA label.

Devoting a large portion of his time to chamber music, Mathieu is also a member of Pentaèdre Woodwind Quintet, the Caliban Quartet of Bassoonists and now Musica Franca.

Mathieu has appeared as a soloist and chamber musician at festivals in Lanaudière, Orford, Ottawa, Lamèque, Bic Islands, Baie−des−Chaleurs and Maison Trestler and has given solo recitals in Munich and Vienna.

As a composer, Mathieu’s works are performed regularly and have received wide critical praise. Two of his bassoon quartets, Bassango and Valstango, have been recorded by the Caliban Quartet on BIS Northern Lights label. Nadina Mackie Jackson has recorded the Five Caprices for solo bassoon, Le Rêve de l’Opritchnik for piano & bassoon and the Four Love Songs. His commissioned works include Promenade à Venise for soprano and baroque ensemble and Old Spanish from Cuba, commissioned by Tafelmusik.

He teaches baroque bassoon at McGill University and modern bassoon at the University of Quebec at Montreal.

"Mathieu Lussier is a superb soloist, capable of horn−like depth"

− The Montreal Gazette, 2005