Flame Celestial - Sacred Choral Music Volume II - Wells Cathedral Choir with Matthew Owens (Director) and Jonathan Vaughn (Organ) (Regent Records)

“I have voiced my admiration for the music of David Bednall (b1979) more than once and I make no apologies for waxing enthusiastic about it again, for there’s so much on this latest disc to relish and enjoy. It is tempting to play spot-the-influence (Messiaen and Duruflé abound, while great chunks of Langlais pop their heads around the pillars from time to time), and certainly Bednall suffers from what Vaughan Williams identified in himself as “a bad attack of French fever”, but he doesn’t totally ignore his English heritage; there is Gustav Holst as the Missa Sancti Pauli floats away into the ether and even more Herbert Howells in the intensely lovely O Jesu, victim blest (although its climax comes straight out of Duruflé’s Requiem). But the cumulative effect of all these influences is to create a musical language which is at once both reassuringly familiar and strikingly distinctive.

Bednall has again entrusted his music to the Wells Cathedral Choir under Matthew Owens and they have not only done him and themselves proud, they have reinforced their current position as one of the UK’s leading cathedral choirs; an absolutely magical performance of the Benedictus from the Mass sets the seal on their excellence. Composed, as the name suggests, for St Paul’s Cathedral in London, the Missa Sancti Pauli dates from 2007 and while it is the largest single work here, the four canticles from The Wells Service added to the four morning ones recorded on a previous disc (5/07) make up what Bednall himself suggests in his impressively coherent booklet-notes as “a possibly unique” setting of all eight canticles for a single foundation. His intense knowledge of the choir, the organ and, perhaps most tellingly, the Cathedral’s acoustic (gloriously captured in this warmly atmospheric recording) infuse every bar, and the choirs responds with both affection and towering authority.” Marc Rochester, Gramophone, September 2010 (Gramophone Recommendation)

...

“Regent Records are doing David Bednall proud. Hard on the heels of the recording of his very fine Requiem, they have issued this new CD, which is the second volume of his choral music. Volume One, which I have not yet heard, was entitled Hail, gladdening light (REGCD247). That disc, which was also made by Matthew Owens and the Wells Cathedral Choir, included the four morning canticles from Bednall’s Wells Service; the four companion canticles for Evensong form part of the present programme.

The ‘Magnificat’ and ‘Nunc dimittis’ are familiar pillars of the service of Evensong. It’s less common to hear settings of ‘Cantate Domino’ or ‘Deus misereatur’. One interesting feature of Bednall’s settings is that the latter two settings include an organ accompaniment while the ‘Mag’ and ‘Nunc’ are for unaccompanied choir. ‘Cantate Domino’ is set mainly in a fast tempo. The music is vigorous and strongly rhythmic and the independent organ part is as exciting as the vocal writing. Part way through comes a substantial bass solo... In fact, the solo passages carry a considerable amount of the musical argument in this latter piece. Both canticles have the same, exuberant music for the doxology. The unaccompanied ‘Mag’ features some rich-textured choral writing. The writing for choir is confident and assertive and, frankly, one doesn’t regret the lack of an organ part; the choral music is strong enough not to need any support. The ‘Nunc dimittis’ is a fine, thoughtful piece. Unlike their companions, these two canticles have different doxologies; the one provided for the ‘Nunc’ is gentle, even subdued.

The biggest work on the disc is the Missa Sancti Pauli, which was written with the substantial acoustics – and the substantial organ – of London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral expressly in mind. In his booklet note the composer writes that the music was conceived on a grand scale – which is certainly true – and that it takes some of its inspiration from the French Messe Solennelle. At various times Bednall has been a pupil of two distinguished organists, Naji Hakim and David Briggs. Having heard Briggs play many times on the organ of Gloucester Cathedral and having heard Hakim on disc and radio a few times I think their influence is apparent in this work, not least in some of the massive organ climaxes and the use on several occasions of full-throated, reed-dominated registrations.

The Mass is a very ambitious and often a dramatic work, which makes considerable demands, I’m sure, on the choir and on the organist, though in this performance it sounds as if all these demands are more than satisfied. The ‘Kyrie’ is intense and supplicatory and Bednall is not afraid to screw up the tension, especially during the ‘Christe eleison’. In this performance the ‘Gloria’ follows attacca. The opening music is fiercely exuberant – the organ writing is often on a massive scale. The more subdued, slower music that Bednall provides at ‘Domine fili unigenite’ offers much-needed contrast but soon the pace picks up again. Towards the end the organ part put me in mind of Messiaen at his most magisterial. The ‘Amen’ is simply vast.

The ambitious writing continues in the ‘Sanctus’, even though the movement is quite short – less than three minutes in duration. In his notes Bednall refers to “a great wall of infinite praise.” It’s followed by a beautiful setting of the ‘Benedictus’, which the composer describes as the emotional heart of the work. Of particular note here is the highly effective writing for two solo sopranos over a hushed organ accompaniment. The two soloists, Sophie Gallagher and Follasade-Nelleke Lapido, sing with distinction, their voices combining delightfully. The ‘Agnus Dei’ gets off to a brooding start. Though the music isn’t as overtly dramatic as that which we heard in the ‘Kyrie’ it’s still very intense. Bednall achieves a soft, luminous end to the work in which soprano and tenor solos soar gently over the rest of the ensemble.

This Mass setting is undeniably impressive. I do wonder, however, if the demands made on the musicians, not least the organist, are so considerable as to put it beyond the range of at least some choral establishments. Also, perhaps the gestures are so dramatic at times as to inhibit its frequent liturgical use. However, even if that happens I’m sure the setting works just as well in a concert context and this extremely fine recording will bring it to a wider audience.

The shorter pieces are all well done and, like everything else on this disc, they are receiving their first recordings. I wondered about that statement in the case of O come let us sing, since that also appears on the recent disc of Bednall’s Requiem. However, on that disc we hear the version for upper voices whereas this present disc offers the four-part setting. Also, if one was being pedantic, the sessions for this Wells CD took place first by a few weeks! Behold, O God our defender was composed on 12 September 2001, the day after, and as a direct response to, the terrorist atrocities in the USA. The setting, for unaccompanied choir, takes words from Psalm 84. For much of the time the choir sings in slow, grave eight- part harmony. Particularly effective are the quietly luminous harmonies for the last line: “O Lord of Hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.” This piece was clearly an instinctive response to the dreadful events of the previous day – and an eloquent response at that. I wonder if Bednall was inspired, in choosing his text, by the knowledge that Herbert Howells, an acknowledged key influence on his own music, had written a piece with the same title and using some of the same words?

The souls of the righteous is also for unaccompanied choir and here again we can appreciate Bednall’s excellent ear for choral textures. Also to be admired, once more, is his sensitivity to words; this piece is an eloquent response to moving words from the Book of Wisdom. It’s a lovely work and the best is reserved for the end when a radiant soprano solo line – the excellent Sophie Gallagher again – is heard over the hushed choir. By contrast, Everyone Sang, with which the disc opens, is an extrovert piece, as befits a composition for a wedding. This anthem features some truly arresting choral writing and achieves a huge, ecstatic climax on the words “Everyone’s voice was suddenly lifted.” The piece must have made a strong impression when first performed at a wedding in Wells Cathedral and it impresses now when recorded in the same building.

I was impressed with my first exposure to David Bednall’s music on disc and this latest CD confirms that excellent impression. It seems to me that he has an instinctive empathy with choirs and, on the evidence I’ve heard to date, his writing for them is assured and effective. A fine organist in his own right, he writes as effectively as one might expect for his own instrument. His music is superbly served by Matthew Owens and his excellent choir while the contributions of Jonathan Vaughn at the Wells organ are thrilling one moment and sensitive the next. This disc is a fine successor to Regent’s previous issues of David Bednall’s music.” John Quinn, Music Web International, June 2010

...

"Bednall is a composer in a rather old-fashioned sense, in that he knows the people who want his music and writes it with them in mind—the kind of luxury that Haydn enjoyed. So his Everyone Sang (2007), the piece that opens the newest Regent CD of his music, owes its unbridled optimism to the fact that it was written for the wedding of two close friends, and its exuberance to the presence of a number of opera singers in the congregation. Here’s a piece that could become a popular favorite, even though it requires good lungs of its performers.

The Wells Service on this disc isn’t simply a new recording of the work on the 2006 CD; instead, it is a 2008 setting of four evening canticles, the earlier score setting four morning canticles. Bednall comments that “This setting of all eight canticles by a single composer for one foundation is possibly unique, and the settings make some use of shared material and leitmotifs to add an even greater sense of unity.” What Bednall couldn’t do, of course, was prevent his music language developing, for there’s a far freer use of dissonance in the new piece; indeed, he’s not beyond dropping in the odd cluster to generate a harmonic frisson here and there. That meatiness of texture continues into the Missa Sancti Pauli, which marries Bednall’s French and British traditions more effectively than anything else on these three discs—it’s clear why he calls it a mission statement. It’s not simply a question of refinements in his technique, either: There’s an understated ecstasy in the work that points to an expanding emotional armory—although the earliest piece here, Behold, O God Our Defender, written on September 12, 2001, as a reaction to the events of the day before, reveals the presence of ecstatic dissonance in his language even at that early stage. His setting of Psalm 150 was written for the Jean Langlais Festival in 2006 and the bursts of organ-writing that are played off antiphonally against choral statements could almost have come from that pen, or Jean Guillou’s, or Gaston Litaize’s. This is genuine European integration—not like the nonsense that emerges from the E.U. headquarters!”  Martin Anderson, Fanfare Magazine, July 2010

Requiem and other choral works - The Chamber Choir of St Mary's Calne with Philip Dukes (Viola) and Edward Whiting (Director) (Regent Records)

"David Bednall’s  atmospheric Requiem is sung here by the schoolgirl choir for whom it was originally composed. Highly reminiscent of Howells’s and Duruflé’s requiems, with its musical evocations of heavenly light, it also sounds captivatingly individual and contemporary. The use of a solo viola, played with beseeching warmth by Dukes, is particularly effective. While one has every right to be dubious of a school choir, the girls’ performances go far beyond  the expected standard for a non-specialist music school. It’s beautiful singing, with lovely tone and technique particularly in the upper registers. The soloists are strong." CG. Classic FM Magazine, May, 2010

...

...

“I remember hearing David Bednall play the organ on occasions when he was Organ Scholar at Gloucester Cathedral (2000-2002) but I don’t recall hearing any of his music during that time. He subsequently worked at Wells Cathedral (2002-2007) before taking up his present post as Sub Organist at Bristol Cathedral. So it will  be seen that he’s well steeped in the English Cathedral tradition. It’s relevant to know that in connection with the music on this CD. So too is it important to know that his distinguished organ teachers have included David Briggs and Naji Hakim, both of who must have played a role in imparting to him the influence of French organ music. The last relevant connection is with The Queen’s College, Oxford, where he was Organ Scholar immediately before coming to Gloucester. There he met Edward Whiting, the current Director of Music at St. Mary’s School, Calne, who was also an Organ Scholar at the college.

It was Whiting who suggested to Bednall that he might write a  Requiem for the St Mary’s choir and what began as a Missa Brevis in 2007 had been expanded by the following year into a twelve movement Requiem, lasting some fifty-five minutes.

I’m not going to beat about the bush. David Bednall’s Requiem is, in my view, one of the most beautiful, imaginative and moving pieces of modern choral music that I have heard for quite some time. Had I read the composer’s very good notes before listening for the first time I would probably have been prejudiced in the work’s favour from the outset for he tells us that two works that he greatly admires are Duruflé’s Requiem and Hymnus Paradisi by Howells. Both of these lovely, luminous works are pieces that I admire and love greatly and it’s evident that Bednall has been inspired in a wholly beneficial way by these two masterpieces. Yet his Requiem is far from a pastiche of either. He’s his own man and the new work is shot through with originality.

One stroke of genius is the incorporation of a substantial part for solo viola, here superbly played by Philip Dukes. The viola and organ have two purely instrumental movements – the first and the tenth. Elsewhere, the viola, though it doesn’t feature in every movement, adds a wonderful additional timbre to the musical textures. The instrument’s husky, sensuous and often passionate sound contrasts tellingly with the chaste purity of the girls’ voices. Listeners may sometimes be reminded, especially in the opening Prelude, of the sound world of Flos Campi by Vaughan Williams.

I’m not sure if Bednall had Flos Campi in mind at all when conceiving his own work but as one listens to the Requiem one is conscious that this is a composition by someone who has an expert knowledge of French music – and not just the Duruflé Requiem – of the English choral tradition, and of plainsong.

Besides the presence of the viola the other signal feature of this work is the scoring for upper voices only. Quite a lot of the choral writing is in unison. So far as I could tell without a score the choir goes into no more than two parts except, perhaps, for an excursion into three parts in the ‘Agnus Dei’. If that sounds dull or restricted please rest assured it’s not. Bednall writes some beautiful melodic material for his singers – long, expressive lines are a speciality – and when the writing divides into parts the harmonies are invariably beguiling.

No praise could be too high for the performance of the St Mary’s choir. The choir comprises forty-eight singers, aged between 14 and 18. They sing with the most beautiful, clear and fresh tone. Tuning, diction and blend are all flawless and their commitment to the music is palpable. There are two movements that feature soloists. In the first of these, ‘Domine Jesu Christe’, Miriam Thiede sings very well indeed. She has a warm voice with a nice mezzo tint and I enjoyed her performance very much. Bednall follows Duruflé and, of course, Fauré in giving the ‘Pie Jesu’ to a solo voice, here the excellent Rebecca Rothwell. She has a challenging solo, for unlike the aforementioned French masters, Bednall, though he begins the movement in tranquillity, develops it to a passionate central climax , which is most exacting, especially for a young singer. Miss Rothwell is undaunted and delivers the climax with great assurance before managing the wind-down to the movement’s pacific conclusion very well indeed.

As you might expect, given that the composer is an expert organist, the Requiem features an extremely important organ part. Playing on the recently restored organ in Marlborough College Chapel, David Bednall is superbly inventive in his registrations, often providing wonderfully nasal, French-sounding reedy textures.

Every time I’ve played this work through I’ve come to admire it more. I have one slight question mark in my mind. On the recording the viola is well balanced against the organ and the choir. However, I do wonder how easy it would be to hear the viola in live performances, especially in some of the louder passages in which the instrument features.

I have no doubt at all that David Bednall’s Requiem is a very significant addition to the choral repertoire and I hope that this superb recorded performance will bring it to the attention of a wide audience and lead to other choirs taking it up. I should imagine it’s a challenging work to sing and a successful performance will require also the involvement of an expert violist and an equally proficient organist who has access to a top quality organ. I love the purity of the sound of the high voices and I appreciate that this is what makes this work so distinctive and special. That said, I would urge David Bednall to consider arranging the work also for four-part SATB choir. I readily acknowledge that such an arrangement would alter the sound world of the Requiem significantly but I’m sure mixed choirs would love to take it into their repertoire.

The three short anthems that follow the Requiem are all most attractive and Regent have done Bednall proud with excellent sound and a very well produced booklet. Anyone who is interested in choral music should try to hear this wonderful disc.” John Quinn, Music Web International, June 2010 – Disc of the Month

...

"David Bednall is a freelance composer as well as sub-organist at Bristol Cathedral. His Requiem for the rather unusual combination of treble choir, solo viola, and organ; he sets the same condensation of the Latin text as did Fauré and Duruflé and even follows them in entrusting the Pie Jesu to a solo soprano. The solo viola, exquisitely played by Philip Dukes, appears with the organ in a reflective Prelude and after the Lux aeterna in a Communion-Interlude. The latter is an extended (seven minutes plus) piece with some sections of grief and others of pleasant memory. Much of the choral writing is unison, and the 43 girls (ages 14 to 18) produce a beautifully smooth unison sound. Divisions into parts are perfectly balanced, and the tone quality throughout is appealing. Edward Whiting uses the organ (sic) in Marlborough College Chapel with sensitivity and assurance.

The programme concludes with three short motets of Bednall: O come let us sing unto the Lord, Salvator mundi (text from the Good Friday Liturgy), and Let all the world in every corner sing. These are fine anthem-length selections that would appeal to a well-trained treble choir." Association of Anglican Musicians, May 2010

...

“It's difficult to decide what is more extraordinary about British composer David Bednall's (born in 1979) Requiem: its complete effectiveness as a musically successful, contemporary, liturgically functional Requiem, or the fact that although Bednall's musical language is unabashedly conservative, it sounds entirely fresh and free of cliché. His harmonic language is close to that of his predecessors in the British Cathedral Choral tradition, but unlike most of those who adopt that language, he is able to avoid the haunting influence of Howells, Vaughan Williams, Britten, and Rutter, and develop a voice of his own. Economically scored for viola, organ, and women's voices, the Requiem is notable for Bednall's sensitivity to the meanings of the texts of each of the movements, which he conveys not only in ways that fulfill the listener's expectations (i.e., In Paradisium is appropriately radiant and serene), but with an insightful creativity that brings out new levels of nuance in the texts. There are no missteps; each movement is aptly and beautifully set, with both sophistication and simplicity. The use of a viola is brilliantly appropriate because of its unique tonal capabilities, which can range from the most somber to the most luminous and several lovely movements are scored only for viola and organ. Bednall's text-setting is transparent and natural; this is a score that would not be beyond the reach of a disciplined amateur choir, but there is nothing about it that feels dumbed-down. The composer provides the chaste organ accompaniment, and violist Philip Dukes plays with warmly understated lyricism. The Chamber Choir of St. Mary's Calne, led by Edward Whiting, is made up of middle school and high school girls. They sing with purity, unmannered sweetness, and excellent intonation. Only in a few very high passages does their tone tend to get a little thin. Soloists Miriam Thiede and Rebecca Rothwell are very fine. This is a work that should be of strong interest to fans of new liturgical music and lyrical choral music.” Stephen Eddins, All Music Guide

...

"Bednall’s Requiem has intended echoes of Fauré and Duruflé, but with a wider emotional range, the solo viola accompaniment adding a dark, keening edge, while the organ in the Domine Jesu Christe and instrumental Communion Interlude drag the mood towards grief. But the underlying mood is optimistic and the work – along with the other three on the disc – rewards performers and listener with its mellifluous luminosity. The choir of women’s voices performes with polish and panache." Classical Music 13th March 2010, Recording of the Fortnight (4-Stars)

... 

"Mixing imagination with musical traditions, David Bednall's recently completed and extensive Requiem is one of the most enjoyable British choral works to have emerged for decades. Avoiding modern atonality, it is a score that challenges singers and fascinates the ear. The accompaniment for viola and organ is so skilfully deployed you feel it is a chamber orchestra. The girls from the Wiltshire school of St Mary's, Calne, are superb by any standard and Bednall's organ playing is thrilling." DD, Yorkshire Post, 26^th March 2010

...

"The Prelude to David Bednall's Requiem features the internationally-renowned viola player Philip Dukes and sets the scene in a suitably atmospheric manner, reminding us somewhat of Tavener's "Protecting Veil" played in a higher register. The piece continues at the top end, so to speak, by using The Chamber Choir of St Mary's Calne which is an all-girl ensemble. Soloists are Miriam Thiede in "Domine Jesu Christe" and Rebecca Rothwell in "Pie Jesu". Neither disappoints. David Bednall, who is also the featured organist on this recording, writes beautiful melodies which, for this reviewer, are stronger than his choral writing. This is not to criticise the choir, which sings well throughout, but merely an observation which is borne out in the instrumental "Communion - Interlude". One would not wish to appear to patronise the choir by pointing out that it is a school choir and so, perhaps, the composer did not want to over extend himself. Be assured that these young ladies are every bit as accomplished as most cathedral and Oxbridge choirs. Perhaps instead we should go back to our opening remarks and look at this as having a sacred simplicity such as we would find in Tavener or Pärt. I enjoyed it very much. The CD concludes with three shorter choral works: "O Come Let Us Sing", "Salvator Mundi", and "Let All The World". All three would make welcome additions to any choir's repertoire and we hope and expect to hear much more from composer and choir in the future." Steven Whitehead, Cross Rhythms Website, 28th January 2010

...

"David Bednall is another composer who has picked up the tradition of Howells and takes it towards new horizons, in this case mingled with twentieth-century French harmonies and timbres. It is frequently restless music, searching and striving, not least in the uneasy ‘Libera me’. But the following ‘In paradisum’ is all the more of a contrast as the vocal ‘chorus angelorum’ is led by solo viola to eternal light and peace. The musical techniques used are traditional but applied with skill and an emotional sincerity that results in a disturbing and rewarding piece. The chamber choir of St Mary’s Calne, 43 girls between 14 and 18, should be hugely proud of the vivid sound and mature musicianship they display". Judith Markwith, Church Music Quarterly March 2010

...

"Since his appointment as Organ Scholar at Gloucester Cathedral in 2000, Mr. Bednall has impressed widely through his playing and composing. This Requiem (an expanded version of a Missa Brevis from 2007, with new movements including viola/organ interludes) is poignant and thoughtful, and the exquisite performance by the St. Mary's girls (middle-school and high-school ages, singing with a notable unity of pitch and ensemble) is equally notable. Search this one out!" Minnesota Public Radio, 28th January 2010

Hail, gladdening Light – Sacred Choral Music of David Bednall (Regent Records)

“I have just listened to all your wonderful compositions. Beautiful, inspired, meditative and contrasted, with excellent balances to serve a clear and immaculate melodic and harmonic control. Thank you for your tactfulness in mentioning my name as your teacher and for your kind manuscript words on the CD. Now you are the Maître and I am the student. Congratulations Maestro from the bottom of my heart.” Dr Naji Hakim

...

“There are some organ-loft composers who should remain firmly closeted with their diapasons. On the other hand, there are some who understand the choral medium much better than a few big-name composers I could think of. David Bednall, assistant organist at Wells Cathedral and only midway through his twenties, is just at the threshold of the latter group, and looks set to do some really interesting things. The harmonic style is a couple of miles offshore of France, with Cochereau, Dupré and Langlais providing the prevailing wind…this pungent, turbulent style; it is music in a perpetual state of climax…” (4 stars) William Whitehead BBC Music Magazine, March 2007

...

"Still in his mid-twenties, organist and composer David Bednall is announced as an important and individual voice on this more-than promising Regent release. The Wells Cathedral Choir are in world-class form here, making the most persuasive case possible for the composer. Watch this space, as they say." Editor’s Choice, Gramophone May 2007

....

"David Bednall (b1979) is an accomplished organist – a fact underlined by a fine display of virtuosity in the extended Adagio – who has already appeared as soloist and accompanist on a number of discs. This latest release also shows him to be a thoroughly assured composer, the many influences on his style generously acknowledged in his own booklet-note. Most obvious of these is Duruflé, not least in the expansion of the plainchant melodies on which both the deliciously luminous Hail, gladdening light and the unaccompanied setting of the Mass Lux et origo are based. Other French composers (with Messiaen leading the pack) have flavoured the writing in the wonderfully spacious canticles of the Wells Service, and the influence of English composers may be rather more subtle (if Bednall hadn’t mentioned him, I would never have identified Finzi as an influence).

However, it’s not the influences themselves but how they coalesce into a distinctive compositional voice which matters, and this is immensely inspired writing producing an effect which is never less than deeply attractive, musically rewarding and utterly coherent. It is, of course, greatly to Bednall’s benefit that he has been able to call on the services of Matthew Owens and the marvellous Wells Cathedral Choir. They are at the very top of their form, one of the most impressive of today’s British cathedral choirs. They sing this music with great assurance and clearly relish Bednall’s sometimes very heady musical language. Their luxurious tone and impressive dynamic range, magnificently captured in this superlative recording, give a real edge to music which stands out vividly as much for its musical as for its communicative qualities. New kid on the block or not, David Bednall is clearly a composer with something very worthwhile to say." Marc Rochester, Editor’s Choice, Gramophone May 2007

...

"They must think highly of David Bednall at Wells Cathedral, and it’s easy to see why. This CD devoted to his compositions (how many other cathedral assistant organists have been honoured in this way?) is a handsome tribute. Bednall also appears as accompanist, and in the well-constructed and emotionally charged Adagio for Organ combines his ability to express and develop musical ideas with that of an assured soloist. The singing of Wells Cathedral Choir – its fine eighteen-voice girl choristers on the top line – is immaculate and Matthew Owens, for whom several of the works were written, directs with flair and obvious enthusiasm for Bednall’s music.

Bednall admits to being influenced by several other composers, including the usual suspects Finzi, Vaughan Williams and Howells. He also pays stylistic tributes to Duruflé and Messiaen, and in his rhythmic muscularity one can detect elements of his teacher Naji Hakim.

The most substantial items are two canticle settings, the 2005 Wells Service, which enterprisingly includes all four matins texts, and the evening Gloucester Service from 2001, the earliest work on the disc. To my mind the Wells set is superior, especially in the original touches Bednall brings to the Te Deum – some lovely quiet close-harmonies at “Also the Holy Ghost” and a definite air of supplicants’ torment in “We believe that thou shalt come to be our Judge” – and in the Jubilate, when a skittering soprano quartet reprises the opening words while the rest of the choir sings “For the Lord is gracious”.

Even more unusual is the Benedicite. Here Bednall’s approach is more about diversity than celebration, drawing on the sounds and images of Eastern worship that Messiaen found so fruitful. The anthem Hail, gladdening Light is particularly interesting, combining traditional male-voice plainsong – a latin Nunc Dimittis set to the proper chant for Candlemas – with upper voices singing Keble’s translation of the Greek hymn, with a tantalising aleatoric Amen at the end.

Gregorian chant features in two other works. Come, Holy Ghost is an original setting of the Pentecostal hymn for men’s voices, which refers obliquely to the original melody with a tuneful directness that has instant appeal; and Lux et Origo is an unaccompanied “alternatim” Mass setting, where single-line chant alternates with harmonised and polyphonic sections. It works very well, too, Bednall’s 21 st century harmonies offering a logical progression from the traditional plainsong.

Given the accessibility and imaginative thrust of Bednall’s music he should now consider extending his range further, into instrumental and larger works perhaps. Who knows, with his facility and undoubted flair he might well hit the big time – and this excellent CD could become a collector’s item!" DH, The Organ Magazine No. 339, February 2007

...

"Echoes of Messiaen, Finzi and Howells blend with original gestures in Bednall's potent choral works." (4 stars) Classic FM Magazine, April 2007

...

"In his interesting notes that accompany this CD David Bednall expresses his agreement with Herbert Howell's desire to "make nice sounds" in his compositions. Bednall lists his influences for us: Howells, Finzi, Vaughan Williams and others who use tonality as a compositional force. ….this is
still a forward-looking collection. Bednall is not writing pastiche but is trying and generally succeeding in finding his own voice. An "Easter Alleluia" opens up the proceedings with some splendid singing by the bass Christopher Sheldrake. Also we get music written for Wells Cathedral,
Gloucester Cathedral and Douai Abbey as well as an interesting "Adagio For Organ" played by the composer….On this CD [Wells Cathedral Choir] do themselves and their conductor Matthew Owens proud. Those who have an interest in contemporary choral music will appreciate this CD." (8/10) Steven Whitehead on www.crossrhythms.co.uk

...

“(Hail, gladdening light) was released in the U.K. in 2006, when its featured composer was all of 27 years old—a loquacious tribute to his talent, and to the faith those around him have in his abilities. The opening Easter Alleluia (2005) puts Bednall’s cards squarely on the table: A hieratic solo bass introduces joyfully dissonant chorus and organ. The Wells Service (2005) presented here consists of four movements, here split into two panels of two, largely maintaining the mood of jagged exultation... Come, Holy Ghost (2002) has a broad, Vaughan Williamsish certainty to it; I wasn’t surprised to read in Bednall’s notes that it is chant-based. The alternatim Mass Lux et Origo (2005) comes as a complete contrast; chant here plays a much more direct part, and the relative simplicity, melodic and textural, allows the piece to act as a point of repose in the middle of the program. In Hail. Gladdening Light (2006) Bednall allows himself some restrained ecstasy, the clusters at the end produced by giving the singers their aleatoric head. Oddly enough, in view of our conversation about truncating larger organ works into single movements, Bednall’s Adagio, which rises to a climax and falls back again, sounds rather as if it might be from a substantial sonata in the making. Finally, The Gloucester Service (2001) is a “mag and nunc,” with one foot in Vaughan Williams and the other in Walton." Martin Anderson, Fanfare Magazine 2010

...

"David Bednall’s music has been unfamiliar to me until now. On the basis of this recording I can say that he is a very resourceful and imaginative composer of liturgical music in the Anglican tradition. (He is, I should add, an accomplished organist, currently Assistant Organist at Wells.) He writes in his accompanying notes that ‘the main ingredients in my own compositions are colour and texture. I believe these to be the essential elements in establishing mood and atmosphere, and critical in any successful and reflective setting of a text’, and these two elements are certainly those on which the greatest attention is lavished in this selection of works.

The descriptive quality of the ‘Te Deum’ from The Wells Service, for example, is quite remarkable. There is certainly something of Howells there, in the piling up of meandering polyphonic lines (Bednall readily acknowledges his influence), but also a grasp of the atmospheric possibilities of a simple sequence of chords, a crescendo or the alternation of a group of soloists with the full choir. This is even more the case with the dramatic ‘Jubilate’, which makes particularly effective use of the organ (played by the composer) and has some lovely moments for the four soprano soloists.

……this is a challenging and inspiring disc (and the fine quality of the recording should not go unmentioned) which should be welcomed by all enthusiasts of choral music." Ivan Moody, International Record Review March 2007

...

"David Bednall’s talents as a composer and organist have been nurtured and shaped by Anglican cathedral music and by the music of an eclectic group of composers beyond the tradition. He lays his cards on the table, citing Cochereau as well as Vaughan Williams, Finzi and, above all, Herbert Howells. Thus, to a certain extent, listening to this CD is a ‘spot the composer’ exercise. The improvisatory excitement of Cochereau is well to the fore in the exuberant Jubilate and Benedicite of The Wells Service; the spirit of Howells hovers over several settings of familiar texts and the one organ piece in the programme, Adagio for Organ, is the best slow movement Mahler never wrote. Out of all this, however, David Bednall handles his own musical language with a sure touch, displaying great ingenuity in his use of melody, colour, texture and structure, fully justifying his own belief that ‘the tonal, or at least the polytonal world is far from exhausted.’

The Lux et Origo Mass alternates the Easter plainchant with polyphony in a refined and restrained setting of the Ordinary with its roots deep in the long traditions of liturgical music. Hail, gladdening Light also uses plainsong in an ingenious combination of a Latin Nunc Dimittis alongside the words of the ancient hymn sung in English. Bednall avoids the temptation to use plainchant in Come, Holy Ghost but treats the inspirational text to a broad setting for men’s voices with a colourful organ accompaniment.

All the pieces on the disc were written for specific performers and situations. Thus, each has been carefully fashioned and this accounts for the great variety in moods and expression among individual items.

There is so much to enjoy on this excellent CD and the composer is well served by the splendid Wells Cathedral Choir. The interpretations gain in authenticity by having the organ accompaniments played by the composer and the performers are all on home ground. The climaxes are beautifully gauged and built and there are moments of grandeur and excitement balanced by others of peaceful serenity. The choir uses only the cathedral girls who sing with freshness and control of line. The soloists, all drawn from the choir, are excellent. The whole enterprise is directed by Matthew Owens who is to be commended for his espousal of contemporary church music not only with this enjoyable CD but also for at least four others currently available." Alan Spedding Organist’s Review, June 2007

...

"....here we meet a brilliant new voice in composition. Track after track on this enjoyable disc reveals and then confirms that Bednall is blessed with invention and technique. His solo organ music is assured, but his choral writing simply takes your breath away. Those of us who love choral music, and who are always searching for the ‘next great thing,’ will feel that they have found it in Bednall. His style shows a multiplicity of influences, from Messiaen and Langlais to Howells and Arthur Wills, but already it is truly his own.The opening “Easter Alleluia”... as a composition it borders on the ecstatic, as a recording it is powerful testimony to the excellent engineering and production by Regent’s Gary Cole...

So, all in all, Wells is to be praised for this pioneering work, introducingus to a vibrant new composer who has set about invigorating the Anglican repertoire. The veracity of this claim may be judged by hearing Bednall’s wholly original and gripping setting of texts as familiar as “Come, Holy Ghost” and the title track for this recording, “Hail, Gladdening Light.” And anyone who finds tedious some choral “Benedicites” will be simply bowled over by Bednall’s version. The rest of the disc includes an alternatim Mass for Douai Abbey, and canticles for the cathedral choirs at both Wells and Gloucester. Those who purchase this CD .... will find themselves longing for an American commission to bring his music this side of the Atlantic. For now, though, this disc serves as a potent and engaging introduction to a brilliant new talent, and showcases one of England’s finest cathedral choirs. Home-grown music has rarely sounded so good!" Philip Barnes, Choral Journal, USA

...

“The Cathedral at Wells has been extraordinarily lucky to have a fresh and keen composer amongst its musical staff. Bednall quotes in the booklet: ‘One of the challenges for any contemporary composer is to discover a compositional style and language which has a distinct nature’. Bednall creates music that feels as though it has come out of St Sulpice, rather than Somerset – not entirely surprising when you realize he counts Naji Hakim amongst his teachers.

The disc comprises a vast amount of liturgical music (one each of Te Deum, Jubilate, Mass, Benedicite, Benedictus, Magnificat and Nunc dimittis) as well as a majestic anthem for men’s voices (Come Holy Ghost), an enchanting setting of Hail, gladdening Light, and a ‘dark and anguished’ Adagio for Organ. Nearly all of the music was written for singers, buildings and organs known to the composer and that shows – it is all very well suited.

Bednall is not afraid to make the most of louder dynamics which is no bad thing; indeed, I think it is a phenomenal blazing sound that the Wells organ creates. However, this does lead to occasions where the choir (clearly going at full pelt) can’t be heard as much as they should be. It is a Catch-22 situation though: and less organ and it wouldn’t have the same effect. His more reflective pieces are both beautifully written and sensitively performed. This is particularly the case in the title piece of the disc which is simply stunning, and Howells’s influence on Bednall is most apparent here.

Still in his 20s, this is a composer who has the potential to be something very special indeed. Wells must be upset to lose not only a fine composer but an excellent organist. Watch out for him.” Rated ‘Essential Listening’, Church Music Quarterly, December 2007

...

Choral Music of Geoffrey Burgon (Hyperion Records)

“The vivid direction by Matthew Owens is greatly aided by David Bednall’s creative organ contribution…” Gramophone, December 2006

...

"...a riveting performance enhanced by the playing of David Bednall...." (Five stars) Choir and Organ, March/April 2007

“It's really excellent. Bravissimo! All the pieces are beautifully played and in particular you gave outstanding performances of both Le Tombeau d'Olivier Messiaen and the Vexilla Regis prodeunt, accuracy with a great sense of poetry. And the organ or Blackburn cathedral is very effective! Congratulations and many thanks again for all the real artwork you have done!” Dr. Naji Hakim

“.....David Bednall, currently sub-organist at Wells Cathedral, who, as a student of Naji Hakim, might be expected to offer an authoritative view on his teacher’s own music. He doesn’t just do that, he performs it with all the proselytizing earnestness of a true disciple…Bednall comes across as a persuasive advocate who combines outstanding virtuosity with a real sense of musical commitment… for spine-tingling organ sound and stunning virtuosity in the works of Naji Hakim, this disc is a sure winner.” International Record Review, July/August 2005

Sounds Spontaneous Improvisations Through The Church’s Year (with Malcolm Archer) (Lammas Records)

“Malcolm Archer and David Bednall show themselves highly imaginative, sometimes fearless, improvisers. In general, Malcolm Archer's improvisations tend to be the more 'rounded' and conventional, sounding like notated compositions; while David Bednall's tend to be more experimental. That is not to suggest that one musician is better than the other, but listeners might possibly find themselves preferring the improvisations of one or the other, depending on their own tastes. On a disc like this, having improvisations by two men of differing musical personalities lends variety to the programme and thus makes the listening experience all the more enjoyable. Both organists have the ability to create convincing musical structures and to conjure-up magical sound-worlds, drawing upon the full spectrum of colours that the organ of Blackburn Cathedral has to offer.” Church Music Quarterly, March 2006

...

“You could say this disc serves two purposes. Firstly, there's the obvious appeal of hearing music moulded into shape on the spur of the moment. And indeed each track is a delight: most are based on Gregorian chant including Victimae Paschali lasting nearly 14 minutes!) or other well-known tunes. Equally, however, the disc carries a more serious message. David Bednall”s comment in the cover-notes that improvisation in the UK is all too often “regarded as mere 'filling-in', a form of liturgical wallpaper whose function is simply to cover the sound of moving feet” is not unfair. “Sounds Spontaneous” then, sets out to prove that things don't have to be like that. And without suggesting that organists of the said crime are going to transform their playing overnight into something of the standard here, the disc may well prompt many to review the role of improvisation to enhance worship in the service as a whole.” Cathedral Music

...

Francis Jackson – Sacred Choral Works (Delphian Records)

“..virtuoso organ playing by David Bednall.” Gramophone, December 2006

...

“Mr. Bednall plays to the boys and does not overwhelm them. His skill in reducing the air through the pipes at the appropriate time is very noticeable on this particular recording. So, when one of the soloists draws in his breath, on the release (in song) the organ has "piped down" and we are allowed to let the boys human instrument take over - as it should.” The World of Trebles and Boychoirs, 19 January 2005

Comfort and Joy with the St Cecilia Singers – Directed by Ian Ball. (Lammas Records)

“The Gloucester organ is a perfect vehicle for David Bednall to produce some attractive and varied colours for the accompaniment, and he matches this with some sensitive piano playing which helps give the listener's ear another timbre to hear.” Church Music Quarterly September 2002