Song of Autumn

Today, September 22nd, is the first day of autumn.

I was inspired to do this interesting piece by Carson Cooman's upload earlier of his "Three Autumn Sketches after a Watercolor by Maria Willscher (2017)".

http://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/27252

This performance is dedicated to him!

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. 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.

"Song of Autumn" is dated "France 1918," and was published by H.W. Gray in 1923. It is a highly original work, with a pastorale-like quality, but takes quite a few "excursions" with sophisticated harmonies and phrases. It's hard to "classify" the piece, as while it has "French influences" to be sure, there are certainly "English elements" present as well. Most of the piece is written in 5/4, and this also adds to its uniqueness. There is a wide dynamic spread, but watch out for the "boom" from the 32' Open Wood at the end.

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of Candlyn at the organ of St. Paul's Church in Albany.