Ensemble instrumental du Québec

Ensemble instrumental du Québec

Ensemble instrumental du Québec. Founded in Quebec City in 1970 by Jacques Simard. It consisted initially of Simard (oboe) and six other instrumentalists: Chantal Masson, viola; Zeyda Suzuki, piano; Barbara Todd, flute; Hermel Bruneau, harpsichord, succeeded in 1981 by Sylvain Doyon; Renald Saint-Pierre, double-bass; and Hidetaro Suzuki, violin. In 1974 the ensemble was reduced to oboe, flute, double-bass, and harpsichord and incorporated in Quebec as a non-profit organization. It began performing under the aegis of the Institut canadien in Quebec City, where it gave two concerts a season for two years. It filled engagements for the CBC, the Grand Théâtre in Quebec City, the Concerts Couperin, the JMC, the University of Quebec, Laval University, and the Pro Musica Society, performing in Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto, and in eastern Canada. The Canada Council subsidized tours in 1972 and 1973 in the Abitibi region and in 1976 in western Canada. It premiered Alain Gagnon's Septuor and Les Oies sauvages in 1973 (both works commissioned by the Canada Council) Renald St-Pierre's Temsyrtem and Temsyrtem II in 1975 and in 1978 respectively, and Denis Bédard's Divertimento in 1983. The ensemble's records are held at the ANQ in Quebec City.