Denis Bédard
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Order Number: 9780854023554
RSCM Catalogue Number: ro44
Edited
by
Tim Ruffer
Photograph of Denis Bédard by Joanne Francis
Grand Organ of the Holy Rosary Cathedral in Vancouver by Casavant Frères organ builders
10. Fantasia alla marcia (2019)
for Organ
DENIS BÉDARD
DENIS BÉDARD
DENIS BÉDARD
Sw.: fds 8', 4', 2', mixt., reeds 8', 4' Sw/Gt
Sw.: fds 8', 4', 2', mixt., reeds 8', 4' Sw/Gt
Ped.: fds 16', 8', 4', reed 16' Sw/Ped.
Ped.: fds 16', 8', 4', reed 16' Sw/Ped.
ff
ff f : Swell
11. Rigaudon from Suite en ré mineur (2021) DENIS BÉDARD
VII- Rigaudon
VII- Rigaudon
DENIS BÉDARD
Programme Notes
1. Postlude from Quatre Pièces en forme de Messe
The Quatre Pièces en forme de Messe were written in January 1992 and were premiered by the composer in Iberville, Québec on May 17 of the same year. These pieces are intended for the four times when the organist can play as a soloist during a modern Catholic Mass: prelude, offertory, communion and postlude. The Postlude is a brilliant piece in ternary rhythm, bursting with momentum and joy.
2. Trois Voluntaries No. 3
The Trois Voluntaries were written in 2000. The energetic No. 3, in A-B-A form, is dedicated to the Montreal organists Lucienne and Gaston Arel.
3. Final-Toccata
Commissioned by the British organist Ralph Franklin and written in 2004–5, the considered as an encounter between Bédard and Boëllmann! The parallel between the and Boëllmann’s Toccata
4. Toc-cat-ta
The Cat Suite movements of this descriptive and sometimes humorous work are: Prrrelude, Cats at Play, Catnap, Toccat-a. This last piece is based on two themes, the first one very fast and lively, the second one quieter and reminiscent of Schumann.
5. Final-Danse
The Suite de concert was commissioned in 2006 by Carson Cooman. The lively by Lefébure-Wely.
6. Trois Postludes
This work was commissioned by the Royal Canadian College of Organists for the 2009 National Convention in Toronto, where it was premiered by Ken Cowan. The first Postlude is majestic, the second one has a dancing feel to it, and the third one is mainly in toccata style.
7. Fantasia
The Fantasia (2012) was commissioned by Carson Cooman. It consists of four sections with four different registrations: Allegro, Moderato, Adagio, Allegro vivo. The last section could be used as a service postlude.
8. Final
This energetic work, composed in 2011, was commissioned by the First United Methodist Church (Orlando, Florida, USA) to honour Linda van Niekerk for her twenty years as the church’s organist.
9. Gibraltar March
This work was commissioned in 2017 for the rededication of the organ of Holy Trinity Cathedral, Gibraltar, by the Hon. Lay Canon Precentor, Adrian Mumford. It consists of several contrasting sections, the principal theme being in the style of a march.
10. Fantasia alla marcia
Composed in 2019, this piece was commissioned by the Royal College of Canadian Organists, Victoria Centre, for the RCCO National Convention in 2020. Due to Covid, Denis Bédard premiered the piece online at Holy Rosary Cathedral in Vancouver.
11. Rigaudon
The was written in 2012 and premiered in Vancouver by the composer on November 16th that year. The seven movements are mostly short and varied, some in a Baroque style and others more inspired by the Romantic period. The last two pieces (including the Rigaudon) feature echo effects.
12. Marche
This piece is the final movement from the composer in Vancouver in 2013. In this Suite, Denis Bédard pays homage to the French romantic style of composers like Guilmant, Dubois and Boëllmann.
13. Marche
This piece is the last movement of the , composed in 2021. The theme is reminiscent of Canada's national anthem, O Canada.
14. Postlude
This work is from , composed in 2021–22 and dedicated to Bédard's wife, Rachel Alflatt, who premiered them on May 28 2022 at St. Mary’s Kerrisdale Anglican Church, Vancouver.
15. Ragtime
This work is from , written in 2022 and dedicated to the jazz organ composer Zsolt Gardonyi. Denis Bédard has always been interested in jazz, and his compositions frequently include jazz chords. This time, he decided to thoroughly explore this wonderful music style, which has rarely been associated with the organ.
16. Grand Jeu from Suite du Troisième ton
This piece is the final movement of the Suite du 3e ton, written in 2022 and dedicated to Marc D'Anjou, who premiered it at St Roch church in Quebec City on May 3rd 2023. It consists of a molto allegro section preceded by a solemn introduction in fanfare style.
