Jean-Julien Clossey

Clossey, Jean-Julien

Jean-Julien Clossey. Violinist, organist, pianist, conductor, teacher, b Pepinster, Belgium, 3 Jun 1866, naturalized Canadian 1918, d Montreal 16 May 1926. He studied piano and cornet 1873-82 at the Liège Cons while also taking private violin lessons. At 15 he gave a violin recital in Verviers and then went to France, where he worked 1886-90 as violinist, rehearsal pianist, and conductor. At the invitation of Ernest Lavigne he came to Canada in May 1891 and was a member of the first violins at Sohmer Park 1891-4, with the Couture MSO 1894-6, with the Goulet MSO 1897-1901, and with the Association artistique de Montréal 1892-6. He taught and was organist at Mont-St-Louis College from 1891 until his death and was also affiliated with other teaching institutions. Clossey was organist at the Orpheum and Imperial theatres and a founding member of the Société canadienne d'opérette. He composed some light music for orchestra, piano, and violin as well as choral pieces and songs. His song 'On the Chateauguay'/'Sur les bords de la Chateauguay,' was published by Bélair and his Montreal March(e)-Two Step for piano appeared in Le Passe Temps (vol 6, Mar 1900) and Le Monde illustré (22 Sep 1900).

Clossey had eight children; the eldest, Émile (b Montreal 29 Mar 1897, d there 30 Jul 1955), studied cello in Montreal and 1910-12 in Liège. A pianist and conductor as well, he founded and conducted the Montreal Municipal Orchestra (ca 1935-45), which was composed mainly of civic employees like himself (he worked as a civil engineer for the City of Montreal).