DOCSLIB.ORG

The Postwar Expansion of Toronto's Musical Life

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Postwar Expansion of Toronto's Musical Life the postwar expansion of Toronto's musical prepared by Hams and Fred Feuerriegel life." The "great many changes in the proves it: many of the most respected artists musical life of Toronto" between Betty Jean of the past and present were indeed Hagen's 1953 and 1987 recitals appearances sponsored for the first time in Toronto, are left to the reader to discover elsewhere. Canada, or even North America by the Almost the last allusion to the WMC's WMC, from Wanda Landowska and Joseph context is on p. 165 concerning the 1962-63 Szigeti in the 1920s, through Dietrich season, and at three sentences is the most Fischer-Dieskau and Leontyne Price in the detailed in the book. And the notes of 1950s, to Elly Ameling and the Tokyo String occasional conflict with another city musical Quartet in the 1970s. However, except for a event suggest dissonance rather than couple of passing references to the use of a counterpoint. New York artists' agency, the actual working methods of the concert convenors are not Elliott first mentions the club's "great skill explained. The underlying mystery of how in introducing important young artists" in the they did it may remain, but who they were context of programs mounted during World and what they did are revealed (Elliott's War I, notes that by the late 1950s "the stated purpose) in this official history in reputation of the WMC as a discoverer of generous detail, supported by extensive new talent was at an all-time high," and footnotes, an abstract, bibliography and list describes the 1963 debut of Hermann Prey as of sources, various appendices, and an index providing "further confirmation of the in which, as in the text women are listed WMC's reputation for introducing the most with their own personal and maiden names, exciting young singers of the day to Toronto not (as they were in their lives) by their audiences." Nearer the end, he cites the husbands' initials. contracting of Angela Hewitt several months before she won the 1985 Bach competition as "further confirmation of the WMC's uncanny Ka thleen McMorro W ability to spot rising young talent." An Faculty of Music Library indexed list of WMC concerts from 1899-1997 University of Toron to Healey Willan: Life and Music. By F.R.C. Clarke. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, c1983, 1997 paperback reprint. 300 p. $24.95 ISBN 0-8020-8136-3 T11is year marks the 30th anniversary of His opera Deirdre was recently performed in Healey Willan's death, so a reissue of a Toronto by Opera in Concert. As a volume dedicated to his life is not parishioner of the Church of St. Mary unexpected. Several events are planned to Magdalene in Toronto, where Willan was honor the life and work of a man who is still precentor, organist and choirmaster for 47 regarded as one of Canada's greatest years, I hear and sing his music almost every composers, and certainly one of its most Sunday. prolific. Although he is mainly remembered for his sacred vocal and organ music, Willan In recent years, both the Church of St. wrote in many forms. His sacred and secular Mary Magdalene Choir and the Vancouver works appear regularly on concert programs. Chamber Choir have produced compact discs of Willan's sacred music, and a compact disc paragraph on page 20 mentions Willan's of Willan playing the organ, recorded live at honorary doctorate from the University of the Church of St. Mary Magdalene during Toronto, the birth of his daughter Mary, the 1965-67 was recently released by EM1 (EM1 composition of An Apostrophe to the Classics 7243-5-5600-2). Articles, theses and Heavenly Hosts, the authors of the text of doctoral dissertations continue to be written this work, and for whom it was analyzing his music. His life and commissioned. All of this information is compositions are prominently mentioned in presented in four short sentences with no books on Canadian music. EMC2 and David linking relationship. In contrast, the foreword Greig's history of the parish, In the Fullness by Godfrey Ridout provides a fascinating of Time: A History of the Church of Saint and appealing portrait of Willan. Mary Magdalene (Toronto: The Church, 1990), also contain a great deal of In making his case for the secular music, information about Willan's contribution to Clarke diminishes to some extent the the liturgy and music of the Christian church. importance of Anglo-Catholicism in Willan's This reprint of Clarke's book contains no life and music. Many have recounted that new information except another preface by Willan was never happier or more content the author; not even the bibliography is than when sitting at the organ every Sunday, updated. conducting the choirs and fully participating in the life of his church. This part of him is Clarke provides analyses of all of willan's lost in the endless listing of dates and details major works. He points out that Willan which abruptly change direction with no wrote in many different genres, and that analysis of their effect or importance. much of his secular music is interesting and worthy of study and performance. The The circumstances of Willan's departure analyses are well-written, and provide a from the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in more compelling portrait of Willan as 1941 are inaccurately portrayed. musician than the biographical section does. Disagreements between Willan and the It would have been useful to have the Rector, Father Lee Greene, about who was in musical examples in the text, rather than as charge of the music, combined with a an appendix; the awkwardness of this particularly flagrant extramarital affair, approach makes the analyses less useful than brought matters to a head. The letters Willan they might be. Headings on the examples wrote when tendering his resignation state indicating the name of the work and the only that he found his duties too onerous measure numbers for the excerpt would also and wanted more time for composition. make it more useable. These problems were (They are available in the church's archives, mentioned by several reviewers of the which Clarke did not consult in his research.) original publication, but have not been But Clarke says the extramarital affair was changed. the only reason for Willan's forced resignation. Given Willan's lifetime The biographical section, comprising the commitment to Anglo-Catholicism, leaving first six chapters, is less successful. Clarke the church must have been painful for him. fails to bring the man to life, and Willan was Clarke, however, deals with it in a couple of quite a character by most accounts. Virtually sentences in a chronology of 1941-42. The every paragraph begins with "On [specific next paragraph changes direction completely date]", In [month or year]", or 'Willan". to talk about concerts given later that year; a Abrupt changes in direction only obscure the few paragraphs later, Willan's return to the chronology even more. For example, one church is dealt with in a couple of short and bibliography in EMC2 and other sources sentences. are more current. I think David Neelands summed it up best in his review, published Lack of documentation is another in Ontario History in 1983: "It will not likely problem. Most of the information that Clarke be read for amusement." It is not the best used was unpublished, but he does not example of biographical writing, mostly provide any footnotes or indication of because of the author's failure to put the sources consulted. This makes it difficult for events of Willan's life into perspective or to future researchers to build on Clarke's work. analyze their relative importance. A new and Libraries without the original volume may updated biography, with recent research and want to purchase this reissue for the musical documented sources, would have been more analyses, although the biographical material useful. Chetyl Martin Toronto Reference Library LAML News The IAML Board had its mid-year meeting going on. A discussion as to how many on Feb. 27-28 in Milan. It was a fruitful members does it take to form a national meeting, with all board members present. branch began to take on the dimensions of Subjects discussed included the finances, the "librarians to change a light bulb kind, in which are in good shape, the logistics of other words, no magic number could be translating the Home Page into French and arrived at! German, the encouraging progress of the revised European volumes of RISM series C, This is an election year for IAML. All and how we should mark the passing of CAML members should have received a Barry Brook at the San Sebastian conference. ballot by now, so don't forget to vote (but John Roberts gave us a bit of a preview of remember, only international members are the 2002 meeting to be held in Berkeley. A eligible to do so!). set of guidelines for branch and commission chairs was prepared by the Secretary General. This summer the meeting is in San Sebastian, which is situated on the northern IAML membership now stands at an coast of Spain, near Biarritz. The situation encouraging 2012, and there are several looks wonderful, and it seems like there is a countries not yet represented who are good professional programme shaping up, working hard to form national branches, so too. The dates are June 21-26, 1998. Think it is good to know that this sort of activity is about it! Alison Hall Carleton University Library .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • THE ORGAN WORKS of HEALEY WILLAN THESIS Presented to The
    { to,26?5 THE ORGAN WORKS OF HEALEY WILLAN THESIS Presented to the Graduate Council of the North Texas State College in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of Master of Music By Robert L. Massingham, B. S., M. S. Denton, Texas August, 1957 PREFACE LHealey Willan occupies an unique position in Canadian Music and can be considered as that nation's "elder musical statesman." At the time of writing he is a septuagenarian and still very much active in his profession. Born and trained in England, he was well-established there when he was persuaded to come to Toronto, Canada, in 1913 at the age of thirty-three. Since that time he has contributed enor- iously to the growth of music in his adopted country, carry- ing on the traditions of his fine English background in music while encouraging the development of native individuality in Canadian music. Iillan has been first and foremost a musician of the church--an organist and choirmaster--a proud field which can boast many an eminent name in music including that of J. S. Bach. Willan's creativity in music has flowered in many other directions--as a distinguished teacher, as a lecturer and recitalist, and as a composer. He has written in all forms and for all instruments, but his greatest renown, at any rate in the TUnited States, is for his organ and choral works. The latter constitute his largest single body of compositions by numerical count of titles, and his organ works are in a close second place. iii Willants Introduction, Passaqaglia, and Fuue has been well-known for decades as one of the finest compositions in organ literature, enjoying a position alongside the organ works of Liszt, Yranck, and Reubke.
    [Show full text]
  • Volume 89 Number 1 March 2020 V Olume 89 Number 1 March 2020
    Volume 89 Volume Number 1 March 2020 Volume 89 Number 1 March 2020 Historical Society of the Episcopal Church Benefactors ($500 or more) President Dr. F. W. Gerbracht, Jr. Wantagh, NY Robyn M. Neville, St. Mark’s School, Fort Lauderdale, Florida William H. Gleason Wheat Ridge, CO 1st Vice President The Rev. Dr. Thomas P. Mulvey, Jr. Hingham, MA J. Michael Utzinger, Hampden-Sydney College Mr. Matthew P. Payne Appleton, WI 2nd Vice President The Rev. Dr. Warren C. Platt New York, NY Robert W. Prichard, Virginia Theological Seminary The Rev. Dr. Robert W. Prichard Alexandria, VA Secretary Pamela Cochran, Loyola University Maryland The Rev. Dr. Gardiner H. Shattuck, Jr. Warwick, RI Treasurer Mrs. Susan L. Stonesifer Silver Spring, MD Bob Panfil, Diocese of Virginia Director of Operations Matthew P. Payne, Diocese of Fond du Lac Patrons ($250-$499) [email protected] Mr. Herschel “Vince” Anderson Tempe, AZ Anglican and Episcopal History The Rev. Cn. Robert G. Carroon, PhD Hartford, CT Dr. Mary S. Donovan Highlands Ranch, CO Editor-in-Chief The Rev. Cn. Nancy R. Holland San Diego, CA Edward L. Bond, Natchez, Mississippi The John F. Woolverton Editor of Anglican and Episcopal History Ms. Edna Johnston Richmond, VA [email protected] The Rev. Stephen A. Little Santa Rosa, CA Church Review Editor Richard Mahfood Bay Harbor, FL J. Barrington Bates, Prof. Frederick V. Mills, Sr. La Grange, GA Diocese of Newark [email protected] The Rev. Robert G. Trache Fort Lauderdale, FL Book Review Editor The Rev. Dr. Brian K. Wilbert Cleveland, OH Sheryl A. Kujawa-Holbrook, Claremont School of Theology [email protected] Anglican and Episcopal History (ISSN 0896-8039) is published quarterly (March, June, September, and Sustaining ($100-$499) December) by the Historical Society of the Episcopal Church, PO Box 1301, Appleton, WI 54912-1301 Christopher H.
    [Show full text]
  • University of Victoria Archives AR194 Healey Willan Collection
    University of Victoria Archives AR194 Healey Willan collection 1. Fonds-level description Title Healey Willan collection Dates 1937-1981 Extent 10 cm of textual records, 11 photographs Biographical sketch James Healey Willan was born 12 October 1880 in Balham, London. In 1897 he became an Associate of the Royal College of Organists, and in 1899 a Fellow. From 1903 until 1913 he served as organist and choirmaster at St. John the Baptist Kensington. In 1913 Healey immigrated to Canada, settling in Toronto. In Toronto Willan held various positions at St. Mary Magdalene, St. Paul’s, and the Toronto Conservatory. Willan died 16 February 1968. Scope and content The collection primarily consists of memorabilia and newspaper clippings, collected by Willan's son, Patrick Willan. Files include correspondence and minutes of the Healey Willan Centennial Celebration Committee, 1978-1980; programmes, 1936-1980; clippings, 1936?-1965; programmes and clippings of Willan's opera, Deirdre; obituaries and memorials, 1968; Church of St. Mary Magdalene, 1979-1980; Willan Centenary, 1980; articles on Willan, 1980-1981; memorabilia, 1968-1979; and photographs of Willan with family and musicians. Notes Gifted by Patrick Willan to music librarian Sandy Acker, who transferred the materials to Special Collection in the fall of 1988. 2. Structure (no series or files) 3. Inventory Accession 1989-020 1.1 Correspondence and minutes Picture postcard of Queen Elizabeth II with Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Princess Anne, 1953. Autograph note signed "Dad", to Pat & Lorna; no date. Typed letter signed from Fred Clarke to Mr. and Mrs. [Patrick] Willan. 8 Jan., 1978; 1 page.
    [Show full text]
  • March 12, 2020 Geoffrey Harris Ward, Organ Program Toccata in D Minor, Opus 59, No. 5 (1901) Max Reger (1873-1916) from Trio So
    March 12, 2020 Geoffrey Harris Ward, organ Program Toccata in D Minor, Opus 59, No. 5 (1901) Max Reger (1873-1916) from Trio Sonata in C Major No. 5, BWV 529 (1727) Johann Sebastian Bach Largo (1685-1750) Prelude and Fugue, Opus 109, #3 in C Major (1898) Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) Master Tallis’ Testament (1940) Herbert Howells (1892-1983) Variations sur un theme de Clément Jannequin, JA 118 (1937) Jehan Alain (1911-1940) Litanies, JA 119 (1937) Dr. Geoffrey Harris Ward is from Brampton, Ontario, Canada. He studied piano performance at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and earned his Bachelor degrees in trumpet performance and education at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick. Dr. Ward completed the Master of Music degree at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ before completing his Doctorate in Musical Arts in Organ Performance, Church Music at the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS. His lecture-recital at KU was “The three mass of Jehan Alain (1911-1940)”. Dr. Geoffrey Harris Ward commenced his duties as University Organist and Choirmaster at the University of the South in July 2016. He is also on the faculty for the Department of Music teaching organ and conducting lessons, directing the University Choir and teaching courses in music history and theory. Dr. Ward came to Sewanee from Memphis, TN where he served Saint John’s Episcopal Church and was the Artistic Director of the Memphis BoyChoir Inc. for 10 years. He also taught organ lessons at the University of Memphis. Geoffrey met his wife Hilary in Kansas.
    [Show full text]
  • Healey Columbia, He Began His Professional Career in Vancouver Where He Served for Many Years As Director of Music at Christ Church Cathedral
    557375bk Willan USA 4/12/05 9:26 pm Page 8 Patrick Wedd Canadian born Patrick Wedd directed his first church choir at the age of twelve. Having obtained degrees in organ performance from the Universities of Toronto and British Healey Columbia, he began his professional career in Vancouver where he served for many years as Director of Music at Christ Church Cathedral. In 1986 he moved to Montreal to become WILLAN Artistic Director of the Tudor Singers, a professional ensemble which toured extensively in Canada, and Music Director of the Church of St Andrew and St Paul. In 1991 he Organ Works became Music Director of the Church of St John the Evangelist. Since September 1996 he has assumed the position of Director of Music at Christ Church Cathedral, Introduction, Passacaglia and Fugue Montreal. Patrick Wedd has played recitals in Canada, the United States, Australia and England. He has appeared as Prelude and Fugue No. 2 soloist with the Vancouver Symphony, the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal and the Orchestra of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), and his recordings include Patrick Wedd contemporary music for the Canadian Music Centre, light classics for the CBC, and the Poulenc and Jongen concertos with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. He has given many workshops and conductors’ master-classes, and for three years was in charge of the choral programme of the Faculty of Music at the Université de Montréal. He is currently Artistic Director of the Montreal Boys’ Choir Course, and Founder/Director of the choral ensemble Musica Orbium. A recording of Christmas music with the choirs of Christ Church Cathedral appears on the ATMA label, and a disc of music for trombone and organ with renowned virtuoso Alain Trudel is already available on Naxos.
    [Show full text]
  • Benjamin Britten's Liturgical Music and Its Place in the Anglican
    Benjamin Britten’s liturgical music and its place in the Anglican Church Music Tradition By Timothy Miller Submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Music and Sound Recording School of Arts, Communication and Humanities University of Surrey August 2012 ©Timothy Miller 2012 ProQuest Number: 10074906 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a com plete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. uest ProQuest 10074906 Published by ProQuest LLO (2019). Copyright of the Dissertation is held by the Author. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States C ode Microform Edition © ProQuest LLO. ProQuest LLO. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.Q. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106- 1346 Abstract This study presents a detailed analysis of the liturgical music of Benjamin Britten (1913- 1976). In addition to several pieces Britten wrote for the Anglican liturgy and one for the Roman Catholic Church, a number of other works, not originally composed for liturgical purpose, but which fonction well in a liturgical setting, are included, providing a substantial repertory which has hitherto received little critical commentary. Although not occupying a place of central importance in the composer’s musical output, it is argued that a detailed examination of this liturgical music is important to form a fuller understanding of Britten’s creative character; it casts additional light on the composer’s technical procedures (in particular his imaginative exploitation of tonal structure which embraced modality, free-tonality and twelve-tone ideas) and explores further Britten’s commitment to the idea of a composer serving society.
    [Show full text]
  • Healey Willan and the Church of St. Mary Magdalene
    TORONTO REGION NEWSLETTER April- May- June, 2018 In this issue: Of Note: Healey Willan 1 Reading Review 15 In the Spotlight: The Annex Singers 6 Playing opportunities 17 Feature: Elise Bradley 7 Concert Notices 17 Schedule of Readings 12 Management Committee 2017 -2018 19 OF NOTE: HEALEY WILLAN AND THE CHURCH OF ST. MARY MAGDALENE Written by Andrew Adair Director of Music, Church of St. Mary Magdalene. Willan in his latter years. 1 “English by birth; Canadian by adoption; Irish by extraction; Scotch by absorption” is how Healey Willan (12 October 1880–16 February 1968) often described himself. His musical career began in 1889 as a chorister at St. Saviour’s Church in the English seaside town of Eastbourne, Sussex. St. Saviour’s had an excellent choir school which furnished Willan with a first-class general and musical education, and under the tutelage of Dr. Walter Hay Sangster, Willan received a rigorous grounding in harmony, counterpoint, and organ performance. It was this education that would set him on a path destined for excellence. After successfully passing the FRCO examination (Fellow of the Royal College of Organists) at age eighteen, Willan embarked upon a career as a professional musician in London. He conducted various choirs and became the Organist and Choirmaster of St. John the Baptist, Holland Road in Kensington, and began publishing his compositions. Willan in his London days. Despite his success as a blossoming professional musician, Willan did not earn enough money to support his growing family. His organist position paid £100 per year, which in today’s currency is around £10,000, and his additional income from teaching, publishing, and performing was not lucrative.
    [Show full text]
  • Ce Document Est Tiré Du Registre Aux Fins De La Loi Sur Le Patrimoine De L
    This document was retrieved from the Ontario Heritage Act Register, which is accessible through the website of the Ontario Heritage Trust at www.heritagetrust.on.ca. Ce document est tiré du registre aux fins de la Loi sur le patrimoine de l’Ontario, accessible à partir du site Web de la Fiducie du patrimoine ontarien sur www.heritagetrust.on.ca. ------------,--------~-··· • ' • • • • • IN THE MATTER OF THE ONTARIO HERITAGE ACT • R.S.0. 1980, CHAPTER 337 AND 469 MANNING AVENUE C.ITY OF TORONTO, PROVINCE OF ONTARIO NOTICE OF PASSING OF BY-LAW To: Rector and Church Wardens of the Church of St. Mary Magdalene 479 Manning Avenue Toronto, Ontario M6G 2V8 • Ontario Heritage Foundation Take notice that the Council of the Corporation of the City of Toronto has passe.d By-law No. 524-91 to designate the above-mentioned property to be of· architec.tural value or interest. Dated at Toronto this 22nd day of October, 1991. Ba·rbara G. Caplan City Cl rk • - • • No. 524-91. A BY-LAW To designate the property at 469 Manning Avenue (Church ofSt. Mary Magdalene) ofarchitectural and historical value or interest. l (Passed September 16, 1991.) I ,· Whereas by Clause 11 of Neighbourhoods Committee Report No. 11, adopted by Council at its meeting ·t held. on September 16, 1991, authority was granted to designate the property at 469 Manning Avenue of architectural and historical value or interest; and Whereas the Ontario Heritage Act authorizes the Council of a municipality to enact by-laws to designate real property, including all the buildings and structures thereon, to be of historic or architectural value or interest; and Whereas the Council of The Corporation of the City of Toronto has caused to be served upon the owners of the lands and premises known as 469 Manning Avenue and upon the Ontario Heritage.
    [Show full text]
  • Durham E-Theses
    Durham E-Theses Benjamin Britten, Herbert Howells, and Silence as the Ineable in English Cathedral Music PAULEY, JOHN-BEDE How to cite: PAULEY, JOHN-BEDE (2013) Benjamin Britten, Herbert Howells, and Silence as the Ineable in English Cathedral Music, Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/9499/ Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in Durham E-Theses • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full Durham E-Theses policy for further details. Academic Support Oce, Durham University, University Oce, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 0191 334 6107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk 2 ABSTRACT Benjamin Britten, Herbert Howells, and Silence as the Ineffable in English Cathedral Music John-Bede Pauley Silence’s expressive potential came to the fore in twentieth-century arts and letters as never before. Its role in Christian theology and spirituality has a much longer history, but by the beginning of the twentieth century, its expressive potential had not been significantly recognized in liturgical choral music. This study examined the relationship between twentieth-century musical silence and the expression of silence as the ineffable in Anglican choral music (referred to as English cathedral music or ECM) of the middle of the twentieth century.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Booklet
    557037 bk Faire 11/4/03 12:26 PM Page 5 Paul Halley 1 GORDON SLATER (1896-1979) arr. PAUL HALLEY (b. 1952): Jesu, The Very Thought of Thee 4:45 DDD 2 HEALEY WILLAN (1880-1968): Gloria Deo Per Imensa Saecula 7:46 FAIRE IS THE HEAVEN Paul Halley was born in Romford, England in 1952, received his early musical training in Ottawa, Canada, and at 3 SYDNEY CAMPBELL (1909-1974): Sing We Merrily unto God our Strength 2:19 8.557037 the age of sixteen was made an Associate of the Royal Conservatory of Toronto. Having been awarded the organ scholarship at Trinity College, Cambridge, Halley received his M.A., and was made a Fellow of the Royal College 4 HEALEY WILLAN:I Beheld Her 2:15 Hymns and Anthems of Organists. 5 HEALEY WILLAN: Fair in Face 2:19 From 1977 to 1989, Paul Halley was Organist and Choirmaster at the Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York City. He transformed the Cathedral’s music programme into a rich combination of classical and contemporary 6 HEALEY WILLAN: Rise Up My Love 2:01 Mozart • Mendelssohn • Howells • Willan music. He was also a principal member of the Paul Winter Consort, and earned three Grammy Awards for his 7 HERBERT HOWELLS (1892-1983): Te Deum 8:22 contributions as a featured writer and performer on many Consort recordings. Halley’s music has been performed 8 SAMUEL S. WESLEY (1810-1876): O Thou Who Camest From Above (Hymn - “Hereford”) 2:36 and recorded by many notable artists and ensembles, including the New Jersey Symphony, and John Williams and Choir of St John’s, Elora • Noel Edison the Boston Pops Orchestra.
    [Show full text]
  • THE CONTRAPUNTAL STYLE of HEALEY WILLAN by WILLIAM
    THE CONTRAPUNTAL STYLE OF HEALEY WILLAN by WILLIAM JONATHAN MICHAEL RENWICK .Mus., The University of British Columbia, 19 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF MUSIC in THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC We accept this thesis as conforming .to the required standard THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA March 1982 © William Jonathan Michael Renwick, 1982 In presenting this thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements for an advanced degree at the University of British Columbia, I agree that the Library shall make it freely available for reference and study. I further agree that permission for extensive copying of this thesis for scholarly purposes may be granted by the Head of my Department or by his representatives. It is understood that copying or publication of this thesis for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. Department of .Music The University of British Columbia 2075 Wesbrook Place Vancouver, Canada V6T 1W5 Date March 19, 1982 Abstract Healey Willan was a Canadian composer who succeed• ed in integrating a broad range of stylistic character• istics into a personal musical idiom. It is the object of this paper to examine various elements which make up the unique style of this composer, so as to provide a foundation for a better appreciation of the value of his work. The first chapter deals with the varied influences on the composer's development, . and outlines the dif• ferent styles which affected his work. A discussion of his pedagogical methods illustrates that his teaching bears a close relation to his compositional work.
    [Show full text]
  • Ancient Echoes: Stylistic Influences in Healey Willan's Liturgical Music
    Ancient Echoes: Stylistic Influences in Healey Willan's Liturgical Music Stephanie Martin York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Brian E. Power Brock University, St. Catherine's, Ontario, Canada Healey WilIan, sometimes given the moniker "the Dean of Canadian composers," was actually British by birth. Born in 1880 in London, he was already a well-established organist and church musician by the time he emigrated to Canada at the age of 33 to take up appointments as head of theory at the Toronto Conservatory and organist of St. Paul's Church, Bloor Street (Bryant, 1972, p. 14). He is, of course, best known as the long-time precentor, that is, director of liturgical music, at the high-Anglican church of St. Mary Magdalene, Toronto, a position he held from 1921 until his death in 1968 (Clarke, 1983). It was specifically for the magnificent acoustic of this church that a great deal of Willan's liturgical music was written. Willan's early compositions, up to about 1916, reflect the absorption of chromatic harmonies of the nineteenth century; they recall both Charles Stanford and, in the case of his organ works, Max Reger (Brown & Bryant, 1992). He was a self-admitted Wagnerian (Clarke, 1983, p. 10) and even harboured ambitions of performing the piano works of Brahms, which he studied as a youth (Brown & Bryant, 1992). By contrast, his liturgical compositions, shorter works intended for use at specific services, are very different in style and show much earlier compositional influences; they illustrate what seems to be a conscious attempt to belie the lush chromatics of Romanticism in favour of the modality of Gregorian plainchant and the textures of Renaissance polyphony.
    [Show full text]