Short bio Healey Willan
Full biography Healey Willan
Healey Willan was an Anglo-Canadian composer and organist, born on October 12, 1880, in London, UK. He composed more than 800 works during his lifetime, including operas, cantatas, symphonies, chamber music, and works for choir and organ.
Willan was raised in an Anglo-Catholic family and was deeply involved in church music throughout his life. He served as the organist and choir director at several churches in Canada, including St. Mary Magdalene's Church in Toronto, where he wrote much of his music for church services.
In addition to his work as a composer and organist, Willan was also a music educator. He taught at the Toronto Conservatory of Music (now the Royal Conservatory of Music) for over 40 years, and he was instrumental in establishing the theory program at the school.
Willan's music is characterized by its use of counterpoint and its adherence to traditional forms. He was particularly drawn to sacred music, and much of his output consists of works for choir and organ. His compositions are frequently performed in churches and concert halls across Canada and beyond.
Healey Willan passed away on February 16, 1968, in Toronto. Today, he is considered one of Canada's most significant and influential composers, particularly in the realm of sacred music. His legacy continues to be celebrated through performances of his music and through the work of organizations like the Healey Willan Society, which is dedicated to promoting and preserving his music for future generations.
Albums featuring Healey Willan
| # | Сover | Name album | Year | Music label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Summer Night(CD, Album) | 2019 | Centrediscs |
| 2 |  |
Felix Hell, JS Bach, Barber, Franck, Stewart, Willan – Heroic Proportions: Selected Works For Organ(CD, Album) | 2017 | MSR Classics |
| 3 |  |
In The Heavenly Kingdom(CD, Album) | 2006 | Naxos |
| 4 |  |
Healey Willan, Patrick Wedd – Organ Works - Introduction, Prelude And Fugue, Prelude And Fugue No. 2(CD, Album) | 2005 | Naxos |
| 5 |  |
Healey Willan At The Church Of St Mary Magdalene, Toronto(CD, Album) | 1997 | EMI Classics |
| 6 |  |
Tenebrae Responsaries | 1997 | Virgin Classics |
| 7 |  |
Healey Willan, Bryn Nixon, Vancouver Chamber Choir, Jon Washburn – An Apostrophe To The Heavenly Hosts (Anthems, Motets, Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis, Tenebrae Responsaries | 1995 | Virgin Classics |
| 8 |  |
Healey Willan, Choirs Of The Church Of St. Mary Magdalene, Toronto, Robert Hunter Bell – Missa Brevis 11, Sancti Johnnis Baptistae / Missa Brevis 4, Corde Natus / Motets | 1994 | Virgin Classics |
| 9 |  |
Britten, Willan / Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Uri Mayer – Britten: Canadian Carnival, Op. 19 · Four Sea Interludes, Op. 33a / Willan: Symphony No. 2 In C Minor(CD, Album) | 1993 | CBC Records |
| 10 |  |
Rachmaninoff, Willan, Arthur Ozolins, Mario Bernardi (2) – Rachmaninoff Willan(Cassette, ) | 1991 | CBC Records |
| 11 |  |
Healey Willan, John Tuttle (3) – Introduction, Passacaglia And Fugue, Featuring The Organ For Which It Was Written(CD, Album, Reissue) | 1989 | Gothic Records (5) |
| 12 |  |
Anthology Of Canadian Music / Anthologie De La Musique Canadienne(5×LP, Compilation, Stereo, Box Set, ) | 1982 | Radio Canada International |
| 13 |  |
Healey Willan, Francis Jackson – The Hovingham Sketches / Introduction, Passacaglia And Fugue(LP, Album) | 1982 | Gamut (2) |
| 14 |  |
Healey Willan, Choirs Of The Church Of St. Mary Magdalene, Toronto Directed By Giles Bryant with John Gartshore – Healey Willan At St. Mary Magdalene's(LP, Album) | 1973 | Not On Label |
| 15 |  |
Maureen Forrester, John Newmark, Healey Willan, Robert Fleming (2), Keith Bissell – Songs By Three Canadian Composers: Willan, Fleming, Bissell(LP, Album, Stereo) | 1971 | CBC Radio Canada |
| 16 |  |
Healey Willan, William Mundy, William Byrd, Orlando Gibbons, Orlando di Lasso, Elmer Iseler, The Festival Singers – The Festival Singers Conducted By Elmer Iseler(10", 33 ⅓ RPM, Album) | 1955 | Hallmark (4) |
| 17 |  |
Healey Willan, The Choir Of The Gregorian Association Of Canada – Healey Willan - A Centennial Celebration(LP, Album) | - | Anglican Book Centre |
| 18 |  |
William Teague Plays Willan / Franck / Ginastera – William Teague Plays Willan / Franck / Ginastera(LP, Stereo) | - | Ler Records |
| 19 |  |
Feike Asma / Best, Boyce, Festing, Stanley, Walond, Willan – Feike Asma spielt an der Orgel von Maassluis(LP, Stereo) | - | Philips |
| 20 |  |
Helmut Peters (4), Johann Sebastian Bach, Alexandre Guilmant, Sigfrid Karg-Elert, Healey Willan – Orgelmusik Aus Dem Hohen Dom Zu Paderborn(CD, ) | - | Musicom (5) |
| 21 |  |
Dr. E. J. Pratt : Healey Willan, Jean Cavall, Dr. David Ouchterlony, St. Mary Magdalene, Timothy Eaton Memorial – Brébeuf And His Brethren(2×LP, Album, Mono) | - | TBC Recording Limited |
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