Jean-François Laporte

Although he has studied composition in formal contexts, including L’Université de Montréal, with Marcelle Deschênes; and IRCAM 2002-03, with courses in composition and music technology, Jean-François Laporte is more of a visceral, intuitive composer. His artistic formation, however, is more experiential in origin, with an active focus on the natural state of each sound. At once both a constant inventor of instruments, and a creator of sound installations since 2000, Laporte hasn’t yet abandoned the possibilities afforded by traditional instruments as well. Instead, he looks to non-traditional techniques used on these familiar musical tools. Some examples of this branch of his work, and their performers include, respectively: À l’ombre d’un murmure (Ensemble Contemporain de Montréal), Le Chant de l’inaudible (Quatuor de saxophone Quasar), Ékhéô (Trio Fibonacci), Prana (Le Nouvel ensemble moderne (NEM)), Procession (Commission of the Monastery of Royaumont, France for its organ). Included among the composer's many prizes are 2002’s Opus prizes of the Conseil Québécois de la Musique for Composer of the Year; Creation of the Year (Tribal, for invented instruments); and Discovery of the Year. In 2004, Laporte’s dans le ventre du dragon was awarded first prize for electroacoustic music in the international competition in Citta’ di Udine, Italy. .