Prologue on 'Ascension'

Healey Willan, CC (12 October 1880 – 16 February 1968) was an Anglo-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 was born in England, and began musical training at age eight, later becoming organist of St. John the Baptist Church on Holland Road in London. In 1913 he emigrated to Canada, and became organist of Toronto's largest church, St. Paul's, Bloor Street. It was at the much smaller Anglo-Catholic parish of St. Mary Magdalene that he made his fame, and composed much music for use there.

Many of his works are relatively small, liturgical items, but some of his pieces, are grand, highly romantic works. His "Introduction and Passacaglia" remain one of the finest and most challenging of all organ works.

"Prologue on 'Ascension'" was published by Novello in 1956 as part of its 6-volume series, "Festal Voluntaries". In it, Willan treats W. H. Monk's tune in an unusual and distinctive way. Written in 3/4 time, the "organ part" IS in 3/4 time, but the melody is really in 6/8 time, so, it produces a tricky "3 against 2 feel". The work, in the key of A major starts quietly, building up little by little and phrase by phrase, until a grandiose statement leads to a culmination for the full organ.

Willan's music represents 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 the Romantic/post-Romantic period in which he lived.

He described himself in this famous phrase: English by birth; Canadian by adoption; Irish by extraction; Scotch by absorption." ;-)

This piece is being uploaded as a sort of "prelude" to the hymn to follow.

Two photos of Healey Willan are attached below.