Advent Calendar 4: Denis Bédard (b.1950) - Noël Huron I

Born in Québec, Canada, Denis Bédard is a composer of organ works and choral pieces. He studied music at the Conservatoire de Musique de Québec and also pursued his studies in Paris with André Isoir. After winning the Prix d'Europe in 1975 for his harpsichord performance, he studied piano, harpsichord, and organ with Gustav Leonhardt in the Netherlands from 1975 to 1977.
Denis Bédard's setting of the Huron Carol was written in 1997 and forms part of a set of two pieces (Deux Noëls), the second being the jubilant Toccata on 'Il est né, le divin Enfant' (which will form Advent Calendar 5). The Huron carol is purported to be Canada's oldest Christmas song, probably written in 1642 by a Jesuit missionary called Jean de Brébeuf. Brébeuf wrote the lyrics in the native language of Wyandot, with the melody being based around a French folk song, 'Une Jeune Pucelle' (A Young Maid).
Bédard's treatment of the Huron Carol is in three sections: a reverent and simple introductory movement with the tune given to the Récit trumpet stop, followed by two variations. The first variation, quicker in tempo, shares the tune between the right and left hand whilst busy semiquavers accompany. A pedal point on the tonic note of A is sustained throughout to anchor the harmony. The second variation is altogether different: a lush, strings-based contemplative piece, with Bédard's characteristic use of jazzy chromaticism and sequence throughout. The piece ends in the tonic, but with the purring 32' Bourdon in the pedal providing an emphatic close.
Sample set: Blackburn Cathedral from Llanerch Organs (via Hauptwerk)

[@peternaryd_operasinger]

Beautiful Paul!😁👏👏👏

[@paulswindenmusic]

Thank you!

[@SecretsofOrganPlaying]

This piece is destined to become a Christmas classic! Bravo for an excellent performance, Paul!

[@paulswindenmusic]

Thanks, Vidas!

[@grahamtwist]

A beautiful performance, Paul, of Denis Bédard's 'Noël Huron' (1) which sounds glorious on the Blackburn Walker Organ sample set - especially those gorgeous strings and that purring 32'! Another Advent treat delivered with great aplomb: B R A V O !

[@paulswindenmusic]

Thanks, Graham. Blackburn’s a mighty beast to tame, but some of its softer colours are really lovely.

[@pianothingsmusic]

That’s wonderful, Paul! Very expressive piece and performance 👏🏻

[@paulswindenmusic]

Thanks, Cornelia!

[@BrooksLehnig]

Yay! Blackburn can do delicate, too! One of the things that I have really enjoyed about the online Hauptwerk organ community is discovering new-to-me pieces. I am not familiar with the Huron Carol, but enjoyed it very much, highlighted by your excellent playing. I am looking forward to tomorrow's installment ;). Thank you, Paul!

[@paulswindenmusic]

Thanks, Brooks! Yes, it’s quite hard to tame the mighty Blackburn set, but its softer and gentler colours are poetic and very sweet.

[@remi-chapalain]

Beautiful piece ! I love the way you played it. Bravo Paul !

[@paulswindenmusic]

Thanks, Rémi! Yes, it has those typical warm Bédard harmonies.