Prelude on "Mit Freuden zart"

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 well-known tune, "Mit Freuden zart" is found in the Bohemian Brethren's "Kirchengesänge" of 1566. It is usually associated with the text, "Sing praise to God, who reigns above."

Candlyn gives the tune a fine treatment, more gentle than forceful. There are some fine harmonic moments in it, and if you have listened to other hymn preludes by Candlyn, you will soon "recognize" this prelude as having come from his pen. There is an excellent "judgment of line," it is so successful since everything feels "balanced and in the right spot," without any sense of padding or forcing.

The work is marked "Lento," and is in the key of D major.

I don't think I know ANY other setting of this tune.

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.