Denis Bedard

[Philip]

I'm beginning to discover what a useful resource Bedard's music is, having picked up a couple of volumes in London on Saturday. I have also harked back on an old copy of CMQ which was also singing his praises. Does anyone play much of his music? It seems to all be attractive and approachable stuff.

 

I know some have previously mentioned the Toccata on 'Il est ne' - I looked at this on Saturday but decided against it - not sure if its within my grasp right now. I did pick up his Variations on 'In Dulci Jubilo' which can be found on YouTube and are a very attractive little set, and I also decided on his '6 Paraphrases Gregoriennes', which includes an excellent piece on 'Veni Creator' which would make a good Pentecost postlude. Best of all, these sets (all published by Cheldar) are all very reasonably priced - in the £4-£6 range from the pieces I saw in Foyles.

 

He seems to have penned several suites of varying names - I was wondering which of them might stand out as worth buying? If something were to sway me it would be a good final movement.

[AJJ]

I'm beginning to discover what a useful resource Bedard's music is, having picked up a couple of volumes in London on Saturday. I have also harked back on an old copy of CMQ which was also singing his praises. Does anyone play much of his music? It seems to all be attractive and approachable stuff.

 

I know some have previously mentioned the Toccata on 'Il est ne' - I looked at this on Saturday but decided against it - not sure if its within my grasp right now. I did pick up his Variations on 'In Dulci Jubilo' which can be found on YouTube and are a very attractive little set, and I also decided on his '6 Paraphrases Gregoriennes', which includes an excellent piece on 'Veni Creator' which would make a good Pentecost postlude. Best of all, these sets (all published by Cheldar) are all very reasonably priced - in the £4-£6 range from the pieces I saw in Foyles.

 

He seems to have penned several suites of varying names - I was wondering which of them might stand out as worth buying? If something were to sway me it would be a good final movement.

 

 

The SUITE LITURGIQUE is good - an effective and not too tricky Sortie concludes this set - also on YouTube - played by Diane Bish at Gloucester Cathedral. The QUATRE PSAUMES is also an effective little collection - two of which are also on YouTube (not that I sit watching YouTube all the time I hasten to add) played by a 'regular' on here. He also wrote some duet pieces - Maureen McAllister and Robin Jackson play some of this repertoire.

 

The Cheldar website is quite comprehensive and I have also had helpful communication from Denis Bedard's wife who seemingly runs the publication side of things - the music is available fairly fast over here via the RSCM.

 

If you like Bedard try also some of the music of Daniel Gawthrop from the USA - unashamedly tuneful though with an interesting and quite appealing twist to some of the harmony - there are some good pieces here too - try Googling 'Dunstan House' publications for this. Gawthrop is also very helpful when contacted with queries etc.

 

A

[tiratutti]

Hello,

Does anyone play much of his music? [...] He seems to have penned several suites of varying names - I was wondering which of them might stand out as worth buying? If something were to sway me it would be a good final movement.

I play Bédard quite often. In 2004 Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin played the Suite pour orgue at Freiburg Minster in concert. If you are searching for a final movement I suggest the Trois Postlude CH.50.

 

Cheers

tiratutti

[sbarber49]

The Duet Suite for orga and piano is effective and good fun.

[David Drinkell]

The 'Suite sur le premier ton' is fun and effective. Clerambault, Guilain et al with a modern twist.

 

'Fantasia on O Canada' is a good rip-roarer.

[Guest Hector5]

I'm not sure if anyone here has read my article in Church Music Quarterly on Bedard's music. It only really touches part of the repertoire as my brief was to look at suitable liturgical music. However, I really enjoy the Suite Romantique, especially the final movement.

 

Hector

[Martin Cooke]

Do any forum-ites happen to know Bédard's piece based on Veni Emmanuel, by any chance? I know that the Andrew Carter is the pièce célébrée on this tune, but despite several attempts, I find it really quite tricky and am looking for something reasonably arresting for the end of an Advent Carol Service. Any thoughts, anyone? [Oh, and please don't suggest the Alec Rowley - dull as a ditch!]

[David Drinkell]

Garth Edmundson's Toccata-Prelude on Vom Himmel hoch?  Hollywood meets J.S.Bach.  Our mutual friends Ian Sadler introduced me to it - he said it was a favourite of Harry Gabb's at St. Paul's.

[Martin Cooke]

Thanks, David - and Ian introduced it to me, too, I think - playing it at St Michaels' Newquay in about 1975 or 76 in a recital. I remember it being not as difficult as it sounds and I will look it out. Do you play much Bédard, by any chance?

[David Drinkell]

Fantasy on "O Canada", Cat Suite (very good and not at all serious!), Suite du deuxieme ton.  There's lots more that I want to play, when I get round to learning them....

[Dee Surtees]

I love the "Variations sur Kelvingrove" and have played a selection of movements from it as a closing voluntary on a couple of occasions when we have sung the hymn during the service.