Christmas

The music of Everett Titcomb (1884-1968) occupies a unique niche in the catalogue of sacred organ and choral works by 20th-century Anglican composers in the United States. An Anglo-Catholic, he spent fifty years nearly to the day (1910-1960) as organist and choirmaster at Boston's Church of St. John the Evangelist in Bowdoin Street.

This work is the second of two, "Advent and Christmas," published by Carl Fischer, Inc. in 1962. It is based upon three traditional "Christmas themes."

The first theme, "Unto us a Boy is born," is the opening notes for the Gregorian chant Introit for Christmas Eve. Only the first few notes of the chant are used.

The second theme, "Tu scendi dalle stelle" is a traditional Italian Christmas song.

The third theme is another (part of the same "Tu scendi" - I think) hymn, "O Bambino, mio Divino."

In the opening notes Titcomb writes: "There are several versions of the Italian Christmas song, "Tu scendi dalle stelle" ("Thou hast come down from from the stars, O King of Heaven.") The melody is probably derived from "A Pastorale of Bagpipers", which - it is said - may have influenced Handel when he composed the aria, "He shall feed His flock."

Titcomb does an effective and colorful job with this piece. The flow is extremely nice, and the dialogues between various solo voices is enticing and appealing. The main solo voice heard is the Cor Anglais of the Solo organ.

The music is light-hearted and uplifting in a very gentle and happy manner, and would work well as either service or concert music.

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of Everett Titcomb, and of the organ that he played while he was at St. John the Evangelist.

Sadly, that church has recently closed, but the organ was rescued, and I believe it has been sold, restored, and reinstalled in another church.