Perrault, Michel (Brunet)

Perrault, Michel (Brunet) , Canadian composer, percussionist, and conductor; b. Montreal, July 20,1925. He studied theory and timpani with Louis Decair at the McGill Cons, in Montreal (1941–43), oboe with Real Gagnier at the Montreal Cons. (1943^44), and harmony with Gabriel Cusson (1943^46). After further training with Boulanger, Honegger, and Dandelot at the École Normale de Musique in Paris (1946–47), he returned to Montreal and completed his studies with Conrad Leten-dre. He was a timpanist in the Montreal Sym. Orch. (1944–46) and the Little Sym. of Montreal (1945–46). He was a percussionist with the Montreal Sym. Orch. (1949–65), and also served as its asst. conductor (1957–60). From 1949 to 1968 he was active as a composer and conductor with the CBC. He also was music director of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens (1958–62). In his music, Perrault is a convinced traditionalist who finds inspiration in Quebec folk music.

Works

dramatic: Ballet: Commedia del arte (1958); Sea Gallows (1958); Suite canadienne (1965). orch.:Les Trois Cones for Cello and Orch. (1949); La Belle Rose for Cello and Orch. (1952); Fête et parade for Trumpet and Orch. (1952); Monologues for Strings (1954); Margoton for Harp and Orch. (1954); Le Saucisson canadien for 4 Saxophones and Strings (1955); Pastiche espagnol for Trumpet and Orch. (1956); Pastiche tzigane for 2 Trumpets and Orch. (1957); Berubée for Piano and Orch. (1959); Jeux de quartes for Harp and Orch. (1961); Serenata per tre fratelli for 3 Horns and Orch. (1962); Double Bass Concerto (1962); Homage, overture (1966); Horn Concerto (1967). chamber: Violin Sonata (1946); Saxophone Quartet (1953); Piano Trio (1954); Sextet for Clarinet, Harp, and String Quartet (1955); Georgian Rhapsody for Alto Saxophone and Piano (1987). vocal:Esquisses en plein air for Soprano and String Orch. (1954); songs. other: Pieces for jazz ensemble.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire