Barrie Cabena

Education

Barrie Cabena studied (1954–57) at the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) with Sir John Dykes Bower (organ), W.S. Lloyd Webber (theory), Herbert Howells (composition), and Eric Harrison (piano). From the RCM he obtained his ARCM (organ) in 1955, his ARCM (teacher’s) in 1956, as well as a FRCO in 1956 and FTCL in 1959. In 1966 he became a Canadian citizen. In 1973 Cabena was awarded an honorary FRCCO.

Career Highlights

As music director (1957–75) at First-St. Andrew's Church, London, Ontario, Barrie Cabena began a regular series of recitals and presentations of church opera; these led to the creation, in 1969, of a festival called The Church and the Arts, which became annual. Cabena was also a private teacher, and his best-known pupil probably is Jan Overduin. In 1970 he joined the department of music at Wilfrid Laurier University to teach organ and church music.

He was president (1967–69) of the Royal Canadian College of Organists (RCCO). A practising concert organist, he has given recitals and broadcasts in Canada, the USA, Australia, Great Britain, and Germany. He gave a series of recitals in the Canadian pavilion at Expo 67.

Cabena’s secure technique and resourceful use of registration are particularly effective in the 19th- and 20th-century repertoires. His compositions for organ are distinguished by clear design, lucid counterpoint, and incisive rhythm. Within the same stylistic idiom, he has written anthems, masses, service music, carols, and more.

Honours

In 1972 for services to French music, Barrie Cabena received the silver medal of the Académie française. He was a member of the CLComp and an associate of the Canadian Music Centre. His compositional work has been the subject of master's and doctoral theses in Canada, the United States, and Australia.

Selected Compositions

Choir

• “Praise to the Lord,” Opus 7a. 1958. SATB, organ. Gray 1964.
• Mass in the Dorian Mode, Opus 20 (liturgical). 1965. SATB, organ. OUP 1967.
• “Introit for the New Year,” Opus 37 (Minnie Louise Hoskins). 1968. Ten (bass), SATB, organ. Jay 1971.
• “Psalm 150,” Opus 39. 1968. SATB (double 2-part choir), organ. Jay 1971.
• Twelve Benediction Amens, Opus 45 (liturgical). 1969. Various comb of voices. Jay 1971.
• “Let Your Light Shine Before Men,” Opus 63 (Bible). 1974. SATB, organ. Wat 1975.
• Three Motets, Opus 70 (Bible). 1976. SATB. GVT 1978.
• Mass of Thanksgiving, Opus 146 (liturgical). 1986. Double chorus, violin, organ. Jay 1990.
• “Rejoice, in the Lord alway,” Opus 155 (Bible). 1986. SATB, organ. Jay 1990.
• “The Spirit of the Lord,” Opus 184 (Bible). 1987. SATB, organ (brass). Jay 1990.
• “Hail, Universal Lord,” Opus 210 (Milton). 1990. SATB, organ. Jay 1991.

Organ

• Sonata for Manuals Only, Opus 23. 1966. Jay 1971.
• Cabena's Homage 'Ten Portraits for Organ'. 1967. Wat 1967. (No. 1, 4 and 10) Opus 3 (D. Partick).
• Sonata da Chiesa. 1968. Jay 1971. (3rd movement) RCI 481(McLean).
• Sonata Festiva, Opus 42. 1968. Jay 1971.
• Sonata IX, Opus 51. 1971. Jay 1971. WLU 87001 (Overduin).
• Variations for Organ Duet, Opus 55. 1973. Jay 1990. WLU 87001 (Overduin, Cabena).
• Sonata Giojoso, Opus 84. 1978. Wat 1982. WLU 87001 (Overduin).
• Prelude in the Lydian Mode, Opus 87. 1979. ('Sursum Corda') GVT 1980. Savvy S-1001 (Games).
• Overduin's Ostinatos, Opus 119, No. 5. 198? WLU 87001 (Overduin).
• Variants - In Memoriam John Cook, Opus 138. 198? WLU 87001 (Overduin).
• The Selfish Giant (c. 1970), Jay 1991.