Choral March in Canon Form [Ein' feste Burg] (Four Tone Pictures, No. 4)

Dudley Buck (March 10, 1839 – October 6, 1909) was an American composer, organist, and writer on music. He published several books, most notably the Dictionary of Musical Terms and Influence of the Organ in History, which was published in New York City in 1882. He is best known today for his organ composition, Concert Variations on the Star-Spangled Banner, Op. 23, which was later arranged into an orchestral version.

Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Buck was the son of a merchant who gave him every opportunity to cultivate his musical talents. After attending Trinity College, he studied in Leipzig at the Leipzig Conservatory where he was a pupil of Louis Plaidy. He then pursued further studies in Dresden and Paris. On returning to America he held positions of organist in Hartford, Chicago, and Boston. In 1875 Buck went to New York City to assist Theodore Thomas as conductor of orchestral concerts, and from 1877 to 1902 was organist at Holy Trinity Church in Brooklyn. By this time he had become well known as a composer and virtuoso organist.

"Choral March in Canon Form" was published by Schirmer in 1891 as the fourth of "Four Tone Pictures." It is dedicated to the organist and composer, John Spencer Camp (1858-1946), organist of the Park Congregational Church, Hartford, Connecticut.

This rather amazing piece combines the hymn "Ein' feste Burg" into a grand sweeping tapestry that actually successfully incorporates elements of a Sousa-style march! Listen, and you'll see why I say this.

"March on, then, ye brave to the fray!
Come, companions in arms, to the rescue!
Steadfast courage shall win us the day,
Charge on the foes who molest you!
March in the strength of God the Lord!
He is our shield and armor"!

With this upload, I've completed the "Four Tone Pictures," all brilliant works to which links are given in the First Comment.

The score is attached below, as well as photos of Buck, of Camp, and a period postcard of Park Congregational Church.