Fantasy on "Veni Emmanuel"

Today, December 16th, is "Gaudete Sunday." It is the mid-point of the Advent season, taking its name from the first word in the proper Introit for the day. The liturgical color is rose (hence the name, "Rose Sunday"), a more "festive" color than the somber purple of the season.

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.

I don't know the year of the publication of this work, or the publisher, but the music LOOKS like an H. W. Gray printing. The work is dedicated: "To Edward A. Wallace," who I believe was Candlyn's assistant at St. Thomas Church in NYC.

"Fantasy on 'Veni Emmanuel'" is indeed a fantasy! From the bold opening pedal solo, through a myriad of colors, keys, horn-calls, and much excitement, we reach a point where the calms down, and fades away, nearly disappearing...

Then comes the toccata!

The whole work is brief, lasting only about 5 1/2 minutes, but Candlyn packs a lot of material in those minutes, and if you've listened to other Candlyn uploads, you'll immediately recognize his writing.

Not an easy piece!

The score is attached below, as well as several photos of Candlyn, as well as a photo of High Mass celebrated in rose-colored vestments.