Harold Britton at the organ of Notre Dame de France, Leicester Square, London
ASV CD DCA 1142
73'46"

Compared with his contemporaries, Bonnet can seem a rather conservative figure. Yet at his best he was a composer of real flair and craftsmanship, as witness his Variations de Concert with their infamou pedal cadenza. The Chaconne is equally adventurous and the Caprice Heroique has the grandeur of Guilmant. Elfes is a welcome addition to the small range of impressionistic organ music and the Etude de Concert and Chant de printemps has satisfyingly busy textures for hands and feet.

Harold Britton's measured but faithful performances serve the composer well and he's helped by the splendid and suitably Gallic-sounding organ of Notre Dame de France, built by the Shepherd brothers. Eric Shepherd himself produced the very fine recording and Britton contributes some very informative booklet notes.

CN