Introduction, Passacaglia and Fugue for Organ (1916) I. Introduction [0:00] II. Passacaglia [4:02] III. Fugue [13:34] A work for organ by the prolific Anglo-Canadian composer and organist Healey Willan (1880-1968). A fellow of the Royal College of Organists, Willan emigrated to Canada in 1913, assuming the posts of Head of the Theory Department, and later Vice Principal, of the Toronto Conservatory of Music (now called the Royal Conservatory of Music); Precentor of the Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Toronto; Choirmaster and Organist of St. Paul's Church on Bloor Street; Professor of Music at the University of Toronto; and founding direction of the Tudor Singers and Gregorian Association of Toronto. Often called the "dean of Canadian composers", Willan was among the first recipients of Companionships of the Order of Canada in the centennial year of 1967. The Introduction, Passacaglia and Fugue, widely acknowledged as Willan's masterpiece for organ, arose out of a challenge by a friend that only a "German philosophical mind" could write a good passacaglia. The composer set about writing his passacaglia one variation at a time for each journey he made to his summer home at Lake Simcoe. The work was inspired by the opulent Casavant organ that was installed in 1914 in St. Paul's Church on Bloor Street in Toronto. Organist: Patrick Wedd Casavant Organ of the Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste in Montréal (1915) Теги:HealeyWillanIntroductionPassacagliaandFugueforOrganhealey willanwillan organstopsvoxhumanaorganistcanadacanadiantorontolateromanticsymphonicinstrumentalbritishenglishclassicalmusic
Healey Willan (1880-1968), the great Anglo-Canadian church musician plays the organ of St Mary Magdalene, Toronto at the age of 86. Hymn: Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones [Lasst uns erfreuen] followed by an Improvised Postlude. Recorded during a service in 1966. Теги:HealeyWillanLasstunserfreuenImprovisedPostludeimprovisationorganchurchmusichymn
Live recordings of Healey Willan (1880-1968) playing and conducting at St Mary Magdalene, Toronto in 1966 0'00'' Improvisation 2'15'' Willan - Ave Verum Corpus 7'22'' Hymn: Hail, Thou source of every blessing (Redhead No.46) 8'30'' Improvised Postlude on Redhead No.46 Теги:healeywillananglicananglocatholicorganaveverumcorpushymnscanada
Edith Hanselman, organist and music director of Strathroy United Church, performs Healey Willan's "Quem Pastores" as an offertory hymn during the Trinity Sunday service on May 18, 2008. Healey Willan, CC (October 12, 1880 - February 16, 1968) was a Canadian organist and composer. He composed more than 800 works including operas, symphonies, chamber music, a concerto, and pieces for band, orchestra, organ, and piano. He is best known for his religious music. He was born in Balham, London and emigrated to Canada in 1913 to become the head of the theory department at the Canadian Conservatory of Music (now the Royal Conservatory of Music) in Toronto. In addition, he took the post of organist and choirmaster at Saint Paul's Church. Willan became interested in the music program at another Anglican church, the Church of St. Mary Magdalene. St. Paul's was an evangelical, low church; St. Mary Magdalene's, while much smaller, was notably high church or Anglo-Catholic. By 1920 Willan was assisting with choir practice. In 1921 he resigned his post at St. Paul's and turned his attention to St. Mary Magdalene's. He set about creating a great many liturgical works for use in the church's services. He remained at St. Mary Magdalene's until shortly before his death, last directing the choir in 1967. In 1953 he was invited to submit an anthem for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth the second, O Lord, Our Governour. This remains one of his most frequently performed pieces. In 1956 he ... Теги:StrathroyUnitedChurchHealeyWillanQuemPastores
