Healey Willan [Live] Hail Thee Festival Day - Processional Hymn

Healey Willan (1880-1968) accompanies the processional hymn 'Hail Thee Festival Day' with improvised interludes on the Feast of Ascension at St Mary Magdalene, Toronto in 1966.
The hymn-tune is Willan's own.

[@mstrungify]

This takes me back to many a Sunday morning at SMM. We sang this hymn on Easter Sunday as well. That's my Dad's voice singing the opening "Hail Thee Festial Day." Thanks for sharing this.

[@mungmungie]

My parents both sang at SMM--my father in the ceremonial choir, and my mother in the gallery choir. Thanks to Healey Willan, I am.

[@williambradley6576]

Was your father Albert Mahon?

[@bratschespieler1]

A wonderful anthem by a genius with stunning musical instinct; thank you.

[@jeffreyspringborg136]

I think this is an incredibly beautiful piece, and hardly anyone has heard it. Thanks for sharing it!!

[@johnstag1391]

Splendid