Prelude on "Rockingham"

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 Rockingham'" was published by Abingdon Press in 1961. Although it comes from near the end of Candlyn's life, the music has lost NONE of it's unique creativity.

The famous and much loved tune, "Rockingham" was composed by Edward Miller, Mus. Doc., b. 1735, Norwich, England; d. 1807, Doncaster), although there are some that say that he "arranged" and existing tune.

Most of us know the words associated with it as, "When I survey the wondrous Cross", but it is also used for the Communion hymn, "My God, Thy table now is spread."

The work is marked "Larghetto," and is in the key of E-flat.

I think this is really a remarkable piece, and one that I would be VERY proud of, I had composed it.

The tune receives a sort of "prelude," than is set through once. Then, there is a brief modulating passage, and the tempo and tension increase, as the melody appears in a fully-set canon, that is extremely fine.

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of Candlyn at the organ of St. Paul's Church in Albany, NY, which was demolished in 1964. A drawing of Edward Miller is also attached.