Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

This is the fifth disc from Regent entirely devoted to the compositions of David Bednall and the first recording of his solo organ works, played by Paul Walton on the organ of Blackburn Cathedral. The works on this recording span Bednall's compositional career to date. His "Adagio" from 2002 is one of his earliest pieces, and "Triptych In Honour Of Herbert Howells" is a major new work especially written for this recording. The title track, "Magna Voce Cane Et Magno Cum Jubilo" to give its full title, dates from 2009 and is a real attention-grabber. The title translates as "Play with a loud voice and the greatest joy" and it does, as they say, what it says on the tin. Recognized as one of the leading composers of his generation David Bednall studied for a PhD in composition with Professor John Pickard at the University of Bristol. He is Organist of The University of Bristol, Sub Organist at Bristol Cathedral, and conducts The University Singers. He was Organ Scholar at The Queen's College, Oxford, studied with Dr Naji Hakim and David Briggs and was Assistant Organist at Wells Cathedral. The organist chosen for this recital is Paul Walton, with his fourth solo disc for Regent. He studied at Manchester with Matthew Owens and Margaret Phillips and subsequently with Kevin Bowyer. Since 2001 Walton has been Assistant Organist at Bristol Cathedral. His playing is excellent throughout the 78 minutes of this disc and we once again appreciate the clarity of the recording under producer and engineer Gary Cole. Those with an interest in contemporary organ music will want to investigate further although I am less certain as to whether this will appeal to non-specialist listeners.

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