Page 22 - Bedard Organ Works 4

126 Denis Bédard Organ Works Volume Four 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 from Suite Romantique
Commissioned by the British organist Ralph Franklin and written in 2004–5, the Suite Romantique can be considered as an encounter between Bédard and Boëllmann! The parallel between the Suite Romantique and Boëllmann’s Suite Gothique is obvious, but the musical ideas are very different. The brilliant Final- Toccata shows off the organ in all its splendour.
4. Toc-cat-ta from Cat Suite
The Cat Suite was written in 2005 in memory of Bédard's beloved cat Francis (1984–2005). The four movements of this descriptive and sometimes humorous work are: Prrrelude, Cats at Play, Catnap, Toc- cat-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 from Suite de concert
The Suite de concert was commissioned in 2006 by Carson Cooman. The lively Final-Danse is on a theme
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.