Cat Duet Suite and Cat Suite (both complete)

Denis Bédard (b. 1950) is among Canada’s most-performed living composers for the organ, known for his accessible, finely crafted works in a tonal idiom—rich in clarity, wit, and rhythmic vitality. A native of Québec and a longtime church musician, Bédard has written extensively for his instrument, often with a keen sense of character and color.

Among his more whimsical creations are two companion sets: Cat Duet Suite (2020) and the original Cat Suite (2005). Both are affectionate tributes, originally composed in memory of his own beloved cats. Each suite captures a different facet of feline behavior—by turns lyrical, aloof, or absolutely bonkers.

The Cat Duet Suite is in three movements for organ pedals duet (four feet, one console). Bédard really leans into feline caprice and explores the push-pull dynamic between two players—cooperative one moment, chaotic the next. Here we get a fresh litter of moods: from the nimble Dance of the Kittens to the brooding Lullaby, and the sheer pandemonium of Crazy Cats.

The original Cat Suite is for solo organ and features four movements: Prrrelude, Cats at Play, Catnap, and Toc-cat-a. This suite opens with gentle mischief and drowsy charm before letting loose with a wild finale that pounces more than it purrs.

I first posted the solo suite’s opening three movements in memoriam (one of the deleted uploads), but now, with both suites fully recorded, it seems fitting to gather the whole family again—every claw, nap, and whisker of it. Whether you’re a cat lover or not, I think you’ll find Bédard’s tributes both playful and poignantly human.

(Chat GPT was used to assist in the creation and editing of this writing and that of the first comment.)