Olivier Fortin - A renewed passion for music
January 30, 2011 
Olivier Fortin is an accomplished harpsichord player from Quebec City who now makes his home in Paris. His career was interrupted last year by a serious car accident. However, although he permanently lost the hearing in one ear, he resumed his concert schedule within two months of the accident. He now performs with renewed enthusiasm and passion.
Olivier began playing the harpsichord when he was six or seven years old on an instrument his father built. His father is a mathematician who likes to work with his hands and he built the harpsichord because he wanted to understand its mechanics.
Olivier's parents had noticed he had an interest in music ever since he was a young child. When music was playing in the house, he would always get close to the speakers to listen to the music.
When he was seven years old, Olivier began studying the harpsichord under the guidance of the students of Scott Ross, a professor at Laval University. When he was 10, Olivier entered the Conservatoire de musique de Québec and studied with Ross himself.
Baroque music has a language Olivier feels particularly comfortable with. Most Baroque compositions give musicians a certain degree of latitude in their interpretation and Olivier likes the nuance this allows him to bring to each piece of music. He believes a Baroque musician needs to have a good understanding of all the arts of the Baroque period. With an appreciation of these arts, a musician can enter a vibrant creative world.
When Olivier gives a performance, he tries to get into a state that brings his senses to another level. When he gets into this zone, he feels connected to the audience. In the midst of this musical communion, he forgets he's playing an instrument.
One of Olivier's favorite composers is Johann Sebastian Bach because of his rich repertoire for the harpsichord. As a francophone, Olivier also has a natural feeling for French composers, such as Couperin, Rameau and D'Anglebert. Other composers whom Olivier admires are Scarlatti, William Byrd and the Elizabethan composers.
Olivier doesn't seek fame, but instead prefers to make music that's accessible to everyone. He's the founder and director of the Montreal-based early music ensemble Masques. You can listen to Masques at their YouTube channel: masquesmtl.
Olivier performs with Masques and as an invited soloist with other Baroque ensembles. He recently completed a ten-week tour in North America, although he prefers to be away from home for no longer than three weeks. His agent in North America is Colbert Artists Management. One of the ensembles Olivier performs with is Tafelmusik, who give him his performance schedule one year in advance. Olivier arranges his own concerts in Europe, and he also enjoys performing in Asia.
Olivier records on the Atma label. He has also recorded with Analekta. On YouTube, you can hear Olivier performing two pieces by Rameau with fellow harpsichord player Skip Sempé, the founder and director of Capriccio Stravagante: La Pantomime and La Cupis. Olivier's music is also available at iTunes.
When he had his car accident last year, Olivier was driving in the French countryside looking for a house to buy. Now that he's recovered from his accident and is performing again, he'd like to complete his search for a home and settle in.
Reader Comments (2)
What a joy it would be to have such a skilled baroque musician as a neighbor here in France. I hope Olivier finds his house:)
Olov
Thanks, Olov! Maybe you can hear Olivier in France one day. Here's the link to his web site and concert schedule: http://www.ensemblemasques.org/