Prelude on "Divinum Mysterium"

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.

"Prelude on 'Divinum Mysterium'" was originally published by The Arthur Schmidt Co. in 1930, then renewed in 1958, then assigned to the H. W. Gray in 1963, and included as #912 in their "St. Cecilia Series."

The well-known Christmas hymn is given a flowing and subdued treatment by Candlyn, with a nice mixture of tonal and modal harmonies.

While it is subdued, it will keep you quite busy, as it's essentially non-stop, with some rather tricky parts in several places! :-)

The score is attached below, as well as some "new" photos of Candlyn, of St. Paul's Church in Albany (replaced by new, ugly church), and a photo of Candlyn and the choir in 1937.

On Sunday, I plan to upload Candlyn's setting of "Veni, Emmanuel" (O come, O come Emmanuel). It's quite an amazing piece, and may the "wildest" version I've come across!
to date!