AN EVENING OF ROMANTIC ORGAN MUSIC with organist DENIS BEDARD May 9, 2008

Holy Rosary Cathedral presents Cathedral organist Denis Bédard in a programme of works from the Romantic period, including music by Dicks, Liszt, Guilmant, Gigout, Widor, Vierne, Franck and Reger, as well as the Canadian premiere of his own Suite romantique, written in the Romantic style, but in the 21st century! Repertoire will range from famous works, like Vierne’s Finale from the 1st Symphony and Franck’s Chorale no. 3, to unknown pieces waiting to be discovered and enjoyed. In Denis Bédard’s hands, Holy Rosary Cathedral’s magnificent Casavant organ will show all it’s capabilities, from singing romantic melodies to raising the roof in brilliant toccatas. This performance will be projected on a giant screen at the front of the church, allowing the audience to watch the performance as well as hearing it.

Denis Bédard graduated from the Quebec Conservatory of Music with first class honours, continued his studies in Montreal, Paris and Amsterdam, and was laureate of the "Prix d'Europe" in 1975 and of the CBC Radio Talent Competition in 1978. A very active concert artist, he has given recitals across Canada, in the United States, in France and in Brazil. He also pursues an international career as a composer. He has written more than eighty five compositions and his music has been performed and recorded throughout the world. He has received commissions from Radio-Canada, the CBC, the Quebec Symphony Orchestra and various professional musicians in Canada, England and the U.S. Since September 2001 he has been organist and music director at Holy Rosary Cathedral in Vancouver.

Programme:
Ernest A. Dicks: Thanksgiving Prelude on “Nun Danket”
Franz Liszt: Ave Maria von Arcadelt
Alexandre Guilmant: Offertoire sur “O Filii et Filiae”
Eugène Gigout: Marche religieuse
Charles-Marie Widor: Allegro Cantabile from Symphony no. 5
Louis Vierne: Finale from Symphony no. 1
Cesar Franck: Chorale no. 3 in A minor
Max Reger: Benedictus
Denis Bedard: Suite Romantique

Tickets: $20 / Students and Seniors $12
Available at the door, at the Cathedral Office (646 Richards) and by phone 604 682 6774

Official Website: http://hrc.rcav.org/Concert_Series/index.htm