Marche héroique (To those who fell 'In Flanders fields')

Today, November 11th, 2018, marks the 100th Anniversary of the end of World War One. This and my next upload are offered in commemoration of that day.

Thomas Frederick Handel Candlyn (1892–1964) was an English-born organist, composer and choirmaster who spent most of his professional career at two Episcopal Church congregations in New York.

He was born December 17, 1892 in Davenham, Cheshire, England, the son of Thomas John Candlyn, an organist, and received the Bachelor of Music degree from Durham University in 1911. In 1915 he was offered the position of organist and choirmaster at St. Paul’s Church, Albany, and he emigrated to the United States. He was to remain at St. Paul’s for twenty-eight years. In 1918 he became a United States citizen.

In 1943 he succeeded T. Tertius Noble as organist and choirmaster at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, New York, where he remained until his retirement in 1954. He composed two hundred works, primarily anthems, cantatas, service settings and organ solos.

Marche héroique (To those who fell 'In Flanders fields') was published by H. W. Gray in 1920 as No. 251 in the "St. Cecilia Series". It is dedicated: "To those who fell 'In Flanders fields'".

This grand march is as "heroic" as can be imagined. The tempo is marked "Allegro," but the mood is still solemn. After a tremendous climax, a quiet central section appears, based upon a carillon-type theme, which also builds in power until the opening material returns. This time, the "grand march theme" appears in a dramatic E-flat minor, as opposed to the earlier section in C minor. There is plenty of time the full organ to thunder, and the music boldy modulates back to C, but this time in the major.

The theme appears again in the pedal, with the Solo tuba coupled, and at the end, the tuba joins in the full organ for the final glorious chords.

The score is attached, as well as a photo of Candlyn, and 2 other special photos (please see First Comment for more information.