La Marche des Rois (Founded on a song popular in Provence)

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.

Of all the Candlyn works, I think that "La Marce des Rois" (The March of the Kings) may just be the WILDEST of the lot of them! To say that it is "bold" would be a BIG understatement.

The piece was published by H. W. Gray in 1919 as No. 127 in their large, "St. Cecilia Series". It is dedicated: "To Mr. H.C. Peabody, Fitchburg, Mass.", who was organist of Christ Church in that city.

It is based upon the famous Provence melody, which I think will be famous to all listeners.

The work begins with a "kingly march" in G minor, but before long we are passing through keys such as E minor. The dynamics drop but the energy stays high. There is a tremendous "extended fanfare" that is played mostly on the reeds of the Swell and Great (NO tuba yet!), before this falls away, ushering the monumental conclusion - and really is a monumental final statement of the hymn, first in accelerating passages, and then pulling it all back for the final grandiose statement of the theme.

I dedicate this to ALL the Candlyn fans here!

The score is attached below, as well as several photos of Candlyn & St. Paul's Church in Albany.