June 29 and 30 at Sechelt's St. Hilda's were a glorious prelude to Canada's 144th birthday.
Michael Ingham, Anglican diocesan bishop of New Westminster, was here June 29 for the organ dedication as St. Hilda's celebrates its 75th anniversary. Guest organist David Millard from Vancouver and the Casavant Frères Op. 1372 did the church and musical community proud. About 180 people from far and wide applauded rhapsodically at the inaugural recital.
Established in 1879, Casa-vant Frères of St. Hyacinthe, Que., remains among the world's most prestigious organ builders. Opus 3272 was made for Christian Apostolic Church, Vancouver in 1975. It became a Buddhist Temple in 2005: the organ became redundant.
The community of Vietnamese Buddhist nuns sold it to two organ buffs who planned to use it for parts. Finding it in remarkably good shape, they donated it to St. Hilda's instead.
"Our organ has been resurrected," proclaimed the Rev. Clarence Li, St. Hilda's parish priest.
Thanks to an early 2000's organ fund, money was available when the opportunity arose. While the organ was a gift, moving expenses and refurbishment were not. An organ of this calibre would cost close to $200,000 today. St. Hilda's costs were less than $10,000.
Millard's interest in organ dates from age 13, and he's been playing now for 36 years. He put the organ through its paces June 30 revealing its remarkable range of colours. Among the highlights were: Fantasia on Louis Halsey's Balulalow written to fine effect by Millard himself when 17. Ciaconna in B flat, by Johann Bernard Bach, a second cousin of J.S. Bach, was sheer joy.
Panis Angelicus, by Caesar Franck, demonstrated the organ as an instrument for accompaniment. Sara Douglas, St. Hilda's organist Tom Kellough's teaching assistant at Elphinstone Secondary School, was a good soloist.
The highlight undoubtedly was Millard's improvisation on How Great Thou Art. Chosen randomly from a box of audience favourite hymns, this was a tour-de-force indeed.
We started on a high note. Let's have another recital soon.
