Thursday, February 16, 2012

Quote of the day: Healey Willan loved church music, befriended ghosts


Mysticism, numerology and the supernatural played a role in the life of composer and organist Healey Willan. Such a big role, in fact, that he even decided to move to Canada because the invitation to teach at the Toronto Conservatory of Music came on the third day of the third month in 1913 when he was 33 years old.

And: Willan believed in ghosts.

During the time he served as organist and choirmaster at the Anglican Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Toronto, Willan appears to have been quite friendly with one. Here’s how he described her to his biographer, F.R.C. Clarke.... Keep reading

Hear the Willan Kyrie
Hear the Willan Sanctus.
Hear the Willan Angnus Dei

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