Soon after Healey Willan's appointment as precentor in 1921, he established two choirs at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene: a mixed-voice Gallery Choir of about 20, singing unaccompanied music from the gallery at the back of the church, and a vested Ritual Choir of about 8 men in the chancel, performing Gregorian chant. That tradition has evolved somewhat, but the basic pattern of the two choirs has remained the same. The following are the recordings that exist, though availability may vary.
Healey Willan: Masses and Motets
featuring the Choirs, directed by Robert Hunter Bell (1994).
Healey Willan wrote a wealth of liturgical music, much of it for the Church of St. Mary Magdalene. This Virgin Classics release features 25 of his compositions, including widely known favourites performed in the acoustic for which they were written, as well as several lesser-known gems. Missa Brevis no.4, Corde Natus; Missa Brevis no.11, Sancti Johannis Baptistae; Behold, the Tabernacle of God; The Lady Motets; Gloria Deo; other motets, plainsong and hymns.
Virgin Classics: VC 5 45109 2 (CD BACKORDERED with limited quantities available, cassette tape $10.00)
Healey Willan: Tenebrae Responsories and Missae breves
featuring the Choirs, directed by Robert Hunter Bell (1997).
Missa brevis no. 13 in G minor, Holy Cross
Missa brevis no. 2 in F minor
Missa brevis no. 5 in F sharp minor
Now is the healing time decreed (plainsong)
Tenebrae of Maundy Thursday
The royal banners forward go (plainsong)
Tenebrae of Good Friday
Faithful Cross
Tenebrae of Holy Saturday
Missa brevis no. 7 in G minor, O westron wynde
Missa brevis no. 8 in D minor, SS Philippi et Jacobi
Available on the following websites (search by Composer for Willan) :
Canadian Music Centre: www.musiccentre.ca
Arkiv Music: www.arkivmusic.com
Music for Palm Sunday and Easter
featuring the Gallery Choir, directed by Robert Hunter Bell (1989).
More selections from the music of Holy Week, including Victoria's St. Matthew Passion, the Exsultet,motets by Byrd, Lasso, Palestrina, Philips, Victoria and Weelkes, and seasonal plainsong and hymns.
(SMM 8909: cassette tape $10.00) BACKORDERED
LONG PLAY RECORDS
A Season of Festivity
featuring the Choirs, directed by Robert Hunter Bell (1983).
Motets by Bell, Byrd, Palestrina, and Willan, and Missa Brevis by Bell.
(SMM 8308: LP record $5.00)
Veni: Music for Advent and Christmas
featuring the Choirs, directed by Robert Hunter Bell (1978).
The Choirs, directed by Robert Hunter Bell (1978). Seasonal plainsong and polyphony by Bach, Bell, Handl, Ridout, Tallis, Weelkes, Willan, and Willcocks. Also includes organ postlude by Bell.
(SMM 7807: LP record $5.00)
Rorate Coeli: Plainsong for Advent and Christmas
featuring the Ritual Choir, directed by Giles Bryant, with John Gartshore, organist (1975).
Plainchant hymns, canticles and antiphons, and selections from the Proper and Ordinary of the Mass.
(SMM 7506: LP record $5.00)
Faire is the Heaven
featuring the Choirs, directed by Giles Bryant (1975).
Motets and carols by Bairstow, Berkeley, Duruflé, Harris, Holst, Messiaen, Stanford, Stravinsky, and Vaughan Williams.
(SMM 7504: LP record $5.00)
Drop Down, Ye Heavens: Plainsong, Motets & Carols for Advent & Christmas
Historic Recordings from the Choirs of SMM (1972, 1973, 1975).
1 Adam Lay Yebounden * 1:25
2 Drop Down, Ye Heavens ** 4:05
3 Missa de Angelis - Kyrie ** 2:36
4 Missa de Angelis - Sanctus ** 1:10
5 Missa de Angelis - Agnus ** 1:05
6 O Blest Creator ** 2:59
7 Lo! How A Rose E’er Blooming * 2:04
8 Behold, A Virgin ** :45
9 Magnificat (with Fauxbourdons [276]) *** 5:11
10 Hail, O Star ** 3:08
11 Glory Be To God On High ** 2:34
12 Hodie Christus Natus Est * 1:56
13 In The Beauties ** :35
14 Of The Father’s Love Begotten ** 2:41
15 Coventry Carol * 2:24
16 Today Christ Is Born ** 1:00
17 Here Are We In Bethlehem * 2:13
(Digitally re-mastered from original LP vinyl recordings)
* Hodie - Motets and Carols for the Advent of the Christ Child (QC 982)
** Rorate Coeli - Plainsong for Advent and Christmas (SSM 7506
*** Healey Willan At St Mary Magdalene’s - An Anthology of His Music for the Church (SMM 0002)
SMM 0610 (CD $10.00) CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE
Ordering Information
Payment is accepted by cheque or money order; we do not accept credit cards.
Please add postage and handling: 1-2 items, $3.00; 3-10 items, $4.00.
If shipping is to the United States, please add $2 to the shipping total. Make your cheque or money order (in Canadian funds) payable to: The Choirs, Church of St. Mary Magdalene.
Mail your request, specifying which recording(s) you are ordering and including your payment, to:
Recordings
Church of St. Mary Magdalene
477 Manning Ave.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6G 2V8
Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery.
