L’enfant prodige

L‘enfant prodige (Child Podogy) is based on the life of André Mathieu, the Canadian pianist and composer, who expressed an interest in music at a very early age and was originally taught music by his father, Rodolphe Mathieu, a composer in his own right. In the 1930s the Mathieu family went to Paris where André continued his studies, and in December of 1936 gave a recital of his works at Salle Chopin-Pleyel, and again at Salle Gaveau in 1939. His recitals were enthusiastically received by Parisian critics, one of whom dubbed him “little Canadian Mozart.” The following summer, the Mathieu returned to Montréal for the holidays, but due to the outbreak of war, they could not return to Europe. The family left for the USA and the young André gave a remarkable performance at the New York City Town Hall. He remained in New York with his family until 1943, studying composition and appearing in concert and on the radio. In 1946, André returned to Paris to study composition but the trip did not go as planned. Disappointed by his teachers, the young prodigy returned to Montreal only to find that the city, and himself, had changed. He wasn’t a young star anymore and had a hard time finding his place in Québec.