Jean Saulnier

Pianist Jean Saulnier maintains an active career as both performer and pedagogue. His natural ease, supple artistry, and remarkable sensitivity make him a sought-after collaborator, as reflected in his many partnerships with leading Canadian and international musicians.

A laureate of several national and international competitions—including the prestigious Prix d’Europe, the William Kapell Competition, and the Leschetizky Competition—he has performed throughout Canada, the United States, South America, and Europe, and has appeared as guest soloist with major orchestras such as the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Quebec Symphony Orchestra, the Orchestre Métropolitain, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and I Musici de Montréal.

With his long-time chamber music partners, cellist Yegor Dyachkov and clarinetist André Moisan, he has recorded numerous works from the great chamber repertoire on the Pelléas, ATMA, Analekta, and Doberman-Yppan labels. He has also released a highly praised Chopin recording performed on an 1848 Pleyel piano, noted for its originality and refinement.

A full professor at the Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Music, where he has taught for more than 25 years, Jean Saulnier is a regular guest at renowned festivals and academies, including the Orford Music Festival, the Gijón International Piano Festival, and Porto Pianofest.