The pianist, composer, arranger, conductor and prominent SOCAN member Neil Chotem died Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008, at the age of 87. Born to Russian parents, the child prodigy made his professional debut as a pianist at the age of 13. Raised in Western Canada, he moved to Montreal in his early 20s, first working mainly as an interpreter and a conductor for the orchestras of such Quebec stars as Lucille Dumont, Monique Leyrac and Renée Claude, and then as a creator of contemporary or jazz-oriented film scores and radio and television drama music. He also wrote a series of pieces for dances choreographed by his companion Françoise Riopelle. In 1976, Chotem joined the mythical Quebec group Harmonium, and was credited by former group member Serge Fiori for having been "the spirit behind L'heptade," the group's cult opus. Later on, Chotem worked for the likes of Michel Rivard, Paul Piché and Marie-Claire Séguin, and released Vers l'infini, an album of his own, self-performed piano compositions.

As the creator of nearly 200 musical works, an accomplished music teacher and an active performer, Neil Chotem, a member of the CAPAC and SOCAN boards for 25 years, will be sadly missed. He is survived by his longtime companion Françoise Riopelle and by his three children from a previous marriage.