FEBRUARY MUSIC NEWS
The first three Sundays in February continue the themes of the Epiphany season culminating
in the festival of Transfiguration on February 19. Beginning with Ash Wednesday
on February 22, our music turns more somber as we embark on our Lenten journey.
Early in the month, the choir will be singing an anthem based on the familiar hymn tune
Marion (Rejoice Ye Pure in Heart) by Healey Willan. Willan (1880 -1968) was an Anglo-Canadian
organist and composer. He composed more than 800 works including operas, symphonies, chamber music, a concerto, as well as
pieces for band, orchestra, organ, and piano. He is best known for his religious music.
Willan was born in England, where he began musical training at age eight at St. Saviour's
Choir School in Eastbourne. He continued at St. Saviour's until 1895, when he began working as organist and choirmaster
at several London – area groups. He was admitted to the Royal College of Organists in 1897. In 1913 he emigrated
to Canada.
In 1920 Willan moved to Toronto to assume the title of Head of the Theory Department of the Toronto Conservatory
of Music. In 1921 he was named as Precentor of the Church of St. Mary Magdalene (Toronto), which became a mecca for
church musicians; he retained this title until his death. He set about creating a great many liturgical works for use
in the church's services. These pieces are a mainstay of the repertoires of church choirs and organists. His music
was described in a "Tribute to Willan" on the St. Martins Chamber Choir website as "a unique and beautiful combination of
styles: both an homage to the sacred music of five centuries ago and a reflection of the innovations of period in which he
lived." In 1953, Willan received a commission to write an anthem for the coronation of Elizabeth II. The resulting
anthem, O Lord Our Governour,
continues to be frequently performed.
Last year, because of construction, we held our Ash Wednesday service
in Redeemer Hall, and, as a result, the Ash Wednesday music was somewhat curtailed. This year, in the sanctuary, we
will mark the day with the organ chorale People, Repent of Your great Sins by Johann Sebastian
Bach. This contemplative setting in the first in the Lenten section of Bach's Orgelbüchlein (literally "Little Organ
Book") which contains settings of Lutheran chorales spanning the church year. The choir will sing Kneeling between
the Hall and the Altar by Giacomo Antonio Perti. The text for this motet is taken from
the Old Testament lesson for Ash Wednesday, from the book of Joel.
