ABC Music has released a recording of ‘Anthem for the Feast of Any Healer’, composed by Michael Leighton Jones, and words by Katherine Firth.

The work was commissioned by Dr Jack Best, to commemorate the life of Norman Heatley, the only member of the team who isolated penicillin for medicinal use not honoured with a Nobel Prize. Dr Best saw in Heatley an exemplar of all medical researchers whose work has made such a difference to many lives, but who are themselves un-celebrated. The name, ‘Anthem for the Feast of Any Healer’ highlights this aspect of the Commission.

The work was first performed by the Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, February 2011, and later by the Choir of Trinity College, Melbourne, on multiple occasions, including the opening of the Melbourne Brain Centre (see a video of the event here).

The new recording, with spoken word performance by the librettist, conducted by the composer, and sung by the Choir of Trinity College, Melbourne, is now available for download via the ABC Music website.