Behind the magnificent piano recital given by Jean Saulnier, at Maison Jésus-Marie, on February 11th, there is a story that is worth telling.

M. Saulnier’s 15 year-old daughter, Adèle, was in a group that took part in a school trip to Guatemala for humanitarian reasons. To raise funds to finance her trip, she succeeded in convincing her father to give a recital to which relatives and friends would be invited. 

The links between this Professor for the Faculty of Music at the Université de Montréal and Sister Maryse Moisan, a member of the Recreation Committee for Maison Jésus-Marie, made it possible to implement this idea in the form of a recital given in the chapel, whose acoustics are extolled by all the musicians.

In front of a packed audience, Jean Saulnier, winner of numerous awards in national and international competitions, presented a varied repertoire. Moving from Mozart's sonata "K310 in A Minor", to Debussy "Images 2e série", he continued his recital with Ravel “Jeux d’eau” and "Une barque sur l'océan" drawn from 'Miroirs' before returning to Debussy with Images "1ère série".

In addition to the remarkable performance by Jean Saulnier, who is recognized as a soloist, chamber musician and teacher, the audience was treated to a magical moment at the very end of the concert. Still at the piano, the father accompanied his daughter Adèle, on the cello, to interpret "Vocalises" by Rachmaninoff.

The entire audience was delighted by this magnificent concert given with all the talent and musicality of the Grand Master, who has recorded many major works from the chamber music repertoire.

Mr. Saulnier again expressed the desire to come and present his students in concert in preparation for their end-of-session exams at the Université de Montréal, at the end of April and the beginning of May. It is an event not to be missed.

Photos - Sister Gisèle Lalande