Update: Dr.Andrea McCrady
will play Pierre’s arrangements of two popular carols,
The Wassail
Song and Ça bergers,
December 5th 2013 between
5:30-5:55 pm.
She will also play The Wassail
Song, Ça bergers and Pierre's original carol, Mourning Dove, at Noon.
As with much of life these days, this story started
with an email -- a humble request addressed to Pierre Massie from
Dr. AndreaMcCrady, our Dominion Carillonneur.
Impressed
by The Stairwell Carollers concert videos on YouTube, she asked permission to
arrange one of his original compositions for the Carillon on Parliament Hill.
Yes, please.
 |
| Pierre Massie |
Of his many compositions and arrangements, she chose one
of Pierre's personal favourites, his contemporary Christmas carol “Mourning
Dove.”
On our arrival at Parliament Hill, Pierre looked up at
the Peace Tower, in awe that his music would soon echo from the same bells that
have tolled the hours and provided daily concerts, since July 1st, 1927.
We waited while huddling underneath the overhang at the front entrance.
Just after noon hour, at 12:15, Dec 17
th
2012, his haunting melody -- inspired by the lonesome call of the wild dove --
pealed from the Carillon’s fifty-three bells.
It was somehow fitting that rain was falling from grey skies.
It was an indescribable thrill to hear one of
Pierre’s favourite compositions performed in such a public manner -- a surreal
moment.
 |
| Old print of Parliament Hill |
After the Carillon performance, they
offered us a guided tour. We had sung
many times with the Stairwell Carollers in the Parliament Buildings, but had never
taken a tour. Later, when Dr. McCrady
came down, she greeted us like old friends and immediately made us feel
comfortable.
 |
| Tree in center block foyer |
Dr. McCrady was sincerely interested in Pierre and his music.
They were of one mind, discussing music at
length and completely losing me in the process.
I’m not complaining -- it was like listening to two geniuses floating
ideas while discussing physics. Afterwards, we followed her down a long stairway,
passing through the catacombs of Parliament -- the secret passageways below the
buildings -- the only place where I wasn’t allowed to take photos.
In the Dominion Carillonneur’s office, we found the practice carillon, which is
a full-size instrument without attachment to the bells. It has a lovely sound -- charming -- like a
giant music box.
 |
| Pierre and Dr. McCrady in front of practice Carillon |
Watching Dr. McCrady play the physically demanding practice
carillon was both exhilarating and exhausting.
She hammered each key with her closed fists while stretching her legs to
reach the furthest pedals, exhibiting a high level of musical skill and muscle
strength.
Imagine a pipe organ made for
a giant.
 |
| Dr. McCrady seated at the Carillon |
As we left her office and took the elevator up to the Peace
Tower Carillon, I wondered what it would be like.
Considering the high ceiling and airiness of
her workspace, I was ill prepared for the tiny, near claustrophobic closet that
encases the actual Carillon.
Even the
Carillon’s sound has to be piped into the soundproofed room.
In fact, the Carillon is purely a physical
percussion instrument, with the bells stationary and the clappers intensity
directly controlled by the Carillonneur. All performances of the Carillon are live –
there are no electronic bells or recordings.
The honour of Pierre's composition chosen for
inclusion in the Carillons repertoire was starting to sink in. His music is now going to be a part of music history
in the official Peace Tower Carillon repertoire.
 |
| Pierre's interview on CBC radio's "All in a Day" |
Emerging from Parliament after this amazing day, we learned that someone had
informed CBC radio of our adventure.
Pierre
and I hiked over to Sparks Street for an
interview on CBC’s All in a Day.
We'd like to
thank Dr. Andrea McCrady for this great honour and wonderful opportunity.
On top of being an approachable and warm
person, she has mastered the Carillon -- one of the most imposing musical
instruments on the planet.
She's also a doctor of medicine -- an exceptional human being.
Peace Tower Carillon Program for the Tree Lighting Ceremony
Thursday, December 5, 2013;
from 12:00 p. m. to 12:15 p. m.
O
Canada
Here We Come a-Caroling, arranged by William De
Turk
Ça, bergers,
assemblons-nous, arranged for choir by Pierre Massie, for carillon by Andrea
McCrady
Mourning Dove, by Pierre Massie,
arranged by Andrea McCrady
Ding, Dong, Merrily on High,
arranged by Sally Slade Warner
Wassail Song, arranged for choir
by Pierre Massie, for carillon by Andrea McCrady
Deck the Halls, arranged by
Milford Myhre
Thursday, December 5, 2013;
from 5:30 p. m. to 5:55 p. m.
Christmas Lighting Ceremony Carillon
Prelude
Carol of the Bells, by Mykola
Leontovych, arranged by Ronald Barnes
Venez pasteurs, by Émilien
Allard
Jesous Ahatonhia (The Huron
Carol), arranged by Milford Myhre
Ça, bergers,
assemblons-nous, arranged for choir by Pierre Massie, for carillon by Andrea
McCrady
Wassail Song, arranged for choir
by Pierre Massie, for carillon by Andrea McCrady
Snow is Dancing, by Eric West
(NL), arranged by Andrea McCrady
Frosty the Snowman, by Steve
Nelson and Walter Rollins, arranged by Janet Dundore
White Christmas, by Irving Berlin,
arranged by Sally Slade Warner
Brazilian Sleighbells, by Percy
Faith, arranged by John Ellis
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