Toccata on "Neander"

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.

Candlyn composed two hundred works, primarily anthems, cantatas, service settings and organ solos. Three of his anthems (“Christ, whose glory fills the skies,” “Thee We Adore,” and “King of Glory, King of Peace”) remain part of the standard repertoire of Episcopal church choirs in North America.

The "Toccata on 'Neander'" was published in 1931 by the Arthur P. Schmidt Co. of Boston, Mass. By it style and "figuration," it seems to pay homage to Widor's "Toccata," and also Vierne's "Final" from the First Symphonie.

It is based upon the tune "Neander," although many of us know the tune as "Unser Herrscher." It was composed by Joachim Neander (1650 – 1680), who was a German Reformed (Calvinist) Church teacher, theologian and hymn writer.

The text was written by Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-1895), most famous for her Christmas hymn, "Once, in royal David's city."

I had originally intended to do this work on Salisbury or Hereford, but it sounded VERY heroic on the Schulze!

The score is attached below, as well as photos of Candlyn, Neander, and Alexander.

The full hymn text is given in the First Comment.

A VERY HAPPY EASTER TO ALL!!!