Caravan of the Three Kings (We Three Kings)

Richard (Irven) Purvis (August 25, 1913 – December 25, 1994) was an American organist, composer, conductor and teacher.

He entered the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia in 1934. He was initially taught organ by Alexander McCurdy and conducting by Fritz Reiner. Further studies were with Josef Levine, Edward Bairstow and Marcel Dupré.

During World War II, while serving as a bandmaster, Purvis was captured and held as a prisoner of war for six months.

From 1947 through 1971, Purvis held the position of Organist and Master of Choristers at Grace Cathedral, where he helped to form a cathedral school for boys, ensuring the continuation of the all male choir tradition. He was also organist at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor. Upon his retirement from Grace Cathedral, he continued to compose, teach and give recitals into his 70’s. He died on December 25, 1994 at the age of age of 81.

"Caravan of the Three Kings" is the third of "Three Carol Preludes", published by Gentry Publications in 1985. It is dedicated: "for Terry Charles." Charles is a well-known concert and theater organist.

This work is based upon the famous American carol tune "Kings of Orient" composed by the Rev. John Henry Hopkins (1820-1891), who also wrote the words for this carol.

Purvis takes his listeners on an exciting journey with the Kings, and the style is engaging and colorful throughout. The tempo is marked "Allegro con vivo," so, it's not the slow, plodding pace we often hear in settings of this tune. At the climax, you'll even hear them break into a run, perhaps as the hurry to escape the evil King Herod!

Photos of Richard Purvis, of Terry Charles, the dedicatee, and of Grace Cathedral, San Francisco are attached below. Also attached is a photo of Edward Burne-Jones "The Adoration of the Magi."

For another fun Epiphany piece, check out John H. Maunder's "The Caravan of the Magi," which you can find here:

https://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/28580