Neiges (50ᵉ anniversaire)

Quebec-born pianist and composer André Gagnon seems to be having a particularly good time traversing the boundaries between high and low on this nine-track sugar bomb, which blends classical pomp with pop charm and rock energy. Bright piano trills on opener “L'ouverture-éclair” and sweepingly romantic orchestral charts on closer “Neiges” establish his classical bona fides. Elsewhere, he lets loose with pop glee, plucking strings on “Ta samba” and pounding away on the rock-leaning Beethoven medley/parody “Dédéthoven,” before indulging in the unfettered wah-wah disco orgy that is “Wow.”