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The Ritz Carlton Hotel, December 7, 1950. More than 15 years after his first recital, which would change André Mathieu’s life forever, the “Canadian Mozart” was performing again. The packed program included his sonata for violin, Quatre Mélodies sur des textes de Verlaine (sung by Jean-Paul Jeannotte), a piano reduction of his Quatrième Concerto, and the premier of his piano trio. For the critics in attendance, the performance left no doubt; at the age of 21, Mathieu had become a composer in full control of his craft. “What is surprising and inwardly delightful in Mathieu’s compositional style is that he never substitutes music with mathematics, doesn’t employ the current decadent system, and never wallows in insolent melodies or impenetrable rhythms,” wrote Eugène Lapierre in Le Devoir on December 11, 1950. “He can be bold, but we are always listening to music. […] Furthermore, his music is essentially symphonic… it is all about clarity—clarity of rhythm, clarity of harmony, simple and supple melodies with a surprising breadth. This probably stems from his own virtuosity as a performer, since he always seems to be swept up by a need for motion and timbre, the sure sign of a natural composer.” "Music is an enchanting and powerful mistress. Her lovers are many, and she always rewards those who serve and love her well. It is their path to immortality." - André Mathieu