Variations sur "Lasst uns erfreuen"

“All creatures of our God and King, lift up your voices, let us sing: Alleluia, alleluia!” This is one of the texts that I associate with this tune and it seems especially appropriate today in America (January 20, 2021).

Denis Bédard has created an exciting work replete with his trademark titillating harmonic language, which ends with a giddying gallop of a final variation.

Imagine a novice rider whose horse is spooked and starts charging down the field. He/she loses the reigns and holds on to the animal for dear life. Finally they are able to grab hold of the reigns again and bring the beast under control and to a stop. Imagine the relief and the exhilaration! I am sure you will come up with your own analogy.

(I want to thank Ray Cornils for introducing me to this composition. His wonderful performance of it last fall at the Basilica of SS Peter and Paul in Lewiston, Maine inspired me to learn it.)