Hymn Prelude on "Stuttgart"

Douglas, Charles Winfred Douglas (1867-1944) was a church musician and editor. He was born in Oswego, New York, and received his Bachelor in Music degree from Syracuse University in 1891. He also studied at St. Andrew's Divinity School, Syracuse; Matthew's Hall, Denver; in England, France, and Germany, and with the Benedictines of Solesmes.

He was ordained deacon on Oct. 15, 1893, and began his ministry as curate at the Church of the Redeemer, New York. He was Canon Minor at St. John's Cathedral, Denver, 1894-1897. From 1897 until 1907, he was associate missionary at Evergreen, Colorado, and established the Church of the Transfiguration.

He was ordained priest on Aug. 6, 1899. Douglas was canon residentiary at St. Paul's Cathedral, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, 1907-1934.

He had a life-long relationship as musical and liturgical leader with the Sisters of the Community of St. Mary, in both Peekskill, New York, and Kenosha, Wisconsin. In 1934 he was made honorary canon of St. John's Cathedral, Denver.

The name of Winfred Douglas was very well-known in the 20th century American Episcopal Church, but as time passes, so passes away his fame.

As a composer, he left a number of organ works, including these two hymn-preludes, dedicated: "To the honored memory of Philemon Fowler Sturges." Published by the H.W. Gray Co. in 1947, as part of their "St. Cecilia Series", the second for Epiphany is based on the tune "Stuttgart" which dates from 1715, and probably composed by Christian Friedrich Witt.

Douglas sets the hymn as a cradle song, cleverly combining and interspersing phrase from "We three Kings of Orient are".

The "Stuttgart" tune is present, but I'm not sure I would have identified it had it not stated the tune was being used. :-)

The score is below, plus two photos of Charles Winfred Douglas, and one of the the St. Paul's Cathedral, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin as it looked during Douglas' time.

Also attached is a tapestry of the Epiphany by Edward Burne-Jones.