Carillon, Op. 113, No. 2

William Faulkes (1863-1933), composer, organist, pianist, arranger, recitalist, teacher, chamber musician, conductor, musical organizer. Remarkably, for a composer so fluent and prolific, Faulkes was consistently omitted from the major dictionaries of music. From time to time, he is found in smaller more specific dictionaries – or perhaps more correctly, directories from the late 19th and early 20th century. In these, Faulkes is sometimes described as a leader of the modern English school of organ playing; or a leading composer of the English romantic school of organ playing.

He was born in Liverpool, and at the age of 10 became a chorister at St. Margaret's Church, Anfield, which was the largest brick church in England, and had the largest organ in Liverpool. He began his studies with the organist, Henry Ditton-Newman. At the age of 18, he was appointed organist of St. John's, Tue Brook, and five years later returned to St. Margaret's. He had a fine all-male (all volunteer) choir, and the level of musical excellence at the church was significant. As an organist, he was a brilliant performer, and earned the admiration of the leading British organist of the, W. T. Best. His compositional output is wide and varied, but the bulk of his music is for the organ, and many of his works are finely crafted.

"Carillon" was published by Schott in 1908. It is the 2nd of two pieces in the opus. (I'll do the "Spring Song" in the spring!) It is dedicated "To Alfred A. Butler, Esq."

If you clicked on this, expecting to find a thunderous "French-like" thing, I hope you aren't too disappointed! English organ carillon-pieces tend to be delicate, "bell-like" pastorales, as if you were walking along the stream, hearing the bells from the church in the next village.

The external sections sit upon wide-spread double pedal points, and there is a contrasting, romantic melody for the Swell oboe in the middle section.

The score is attached below, as well as photos of Faulkes.