Healey Willan: Introduction, Passacaglia and Fugue (1916) - David Briggs at St John the Divine, NYC

Very happy to propose to you Healey Willan’s famous masterpiece ‘Introduction, Passacaglia and Fugue’ (1916). This truly breathtaking piece, composed when Willan was organist at St Paul’s, Bloor Street, Toronto, is totally kaleidoscopic, encouraging the interpreter to explore a panoply of colour, as varied as the full symphony orchestra. He had trained in London, winning prizes in both his ARCO and FRCO, and was Organist at St John's Church, Holland Park, and, judging from this piece alone, must have had a fantastic technique. In 1921 he moved to St Mary Magdalene, Toronto - a church with a remarkable anglocatholic and musical tradition which still flourishes today - and remained an extraordinary 47 years. Often referred to as the 'Dean of Canadian Composers', he was very prolific, composing 14 masses (all inspired by Gregorian Chant and beautifully-crafted), many motets and a wide variety of organ music. The 'IPF' (as organists love to call it) is by far his most well-known and beloved piece. Allegedly he wrote it as a response to the many similar pieces by his German contemporary, Max Reger. Firmly established in the remote key of Eb minor (no less than 6 flats!) it has a uniquely intense resonance which serves to heighten its romantic passion. I recorded this performance at St John the Divine last Tuesday and I very much hope you will enjoy it. We are currently using a sophisticated digital instrument. made by the Walker Technical Company in Pennsylvania, while our Aeolian-Skinner (Opus 150A) is out for restoration, following the Crypt fire on Palm Sunday, 2019, just one day before the Notre-Dame inferno. As you will hear, it sounds very impressive in our 10-second acoustic. Indeed the IPF is perfect 'big-building music' (a phrase often used by my great and much-missed friend, John Scott) - the acoustic adds a fantastic additional dimension to the drama. Incidentally, we are opening our 2020-2021 season of Great Music in a Great Space on TUESDAY 13th OCTOBER at 7pm, presenting music by Ralph Vaughan Williams. I'm currently in the finishing stages of preparing the video presentation for this concert - it's been 100's of hours work (transcribing, learning, recording, filming, video editing) but I wouldn't have traded it for anything! Programme is RVW 'The Wasps', 'The Lark Ascending' and the fabulous Fifth Symphony. Tickets (just $10/£7.80!) will be available, in just a few days days time, from the Cathedral website.