Luc Beausejour: The Virtuoso of Canadian Harpsichord & Organ

Luc Beausejour is a celebrated Canadian harpsichordist, organist, and pianist renowned for his masterful interpretations of Baroque and Classical repertoire. Hailing from Montreal, Quebec, his career is distinguished by a prolific and award-winning discography, including his JUNO Award-winning album of Rameau's complete harpsichord works.

Early career

Born in 1961, Luc Beausejour began his musical studies in Montreal, demonstrating an early affinity for keyboard instruments. He pursued advanced studies at the Conservatoire de musique du Québec à Montréal and later in Europe, honing his expertise in historically informed performance practice.

His professional recording career launched in the early 1990s, primarily with the Canadian label Analekta. Early releases focused on the harpsichord works of composers like François Couperin and Jean-Philippe Rameau, immediately establishing his technical precision and scholarly approach.

Breakthrough

Beausejour's significant breakthrough came with the 2004 release of his ambitious project, "Rameau: Complete Works for Harpsichord." This multi-volume undertaking garnered critical acclaim and major industry recognition. The album won the JUNO Award for Classical Album of the Year (Solo or Chamber Ensemble) in 2005, cementing his national reputation.

Key tracks

Rameau: Les Cyclopes — This dazzling showcase piece from his JUNO-winning album highlights his formidable dexterity and the vibrant colors he draws from the harpsichord.

Bach: Toccata and Fugue in D minor (BWV 565) — His powerful organ rendition demonstrates his command of large-scale architecture and dramatic flair on a different iconic instrument.

Mozart: Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major — This recording illustrates his versatility and sensitive touch on the fortepiano, bridging the harpsichord and modern piano.

Couperin: Les Barricades Mystérieuses — A staple of his repertoire, his performance is noted for its lyrical phrasing and intricate ornamentation, embodying the French Baroque style.

Following his JUNO success, Beausejour expanded his recorded catalog significantly, exploring music for organ, clavichord, and piano. He has collaborated with ensembles like the Studio de musique ancienne de Montréal and flutist Grégoire Jeay. His extensive work for Analekta includes acclaimed albums of Bach's Goldberg Variations and the complete keyboard sonatas of Scarlatti.

Artists exploring similar terrain of early music and keyboard mastery include Angèle Dubeau who, like Beausejour, is a Quebec-based instrumentalist with a deep commitment to both historical and contemporary repertoire. Listeners of Matt Haimovitz will appreciate a similar boundary-pushing approach to classical music presentation and recording. The ensemble work of Les Violons Du Roy shares Beausejour's dedication to period performance practice from the same Quebec cultural scene. Finally, the organ repertoire of Bernard Labadie complements Beausejour's own explorations in that domain, rooted in a shared Baroque specialization.

Luc Beausejour's recordings are a staple on classical music radio stations, particularly those specializing in early music and dedicated Baroque programming. His works are frequently featured on public radio networks and independent classical music streams, where his clear artistic vision resonates with discerning audiences.

You can hear the exquisite harpsichord and organ performances of Luc Beausejour on various classical radio stations featured right here on our website. Explore the radio stations available on onairium.com to discover his music and other great artists from the classical and early music genres.