Elégie

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.

Born in Liverpool, 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. 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 time, W. T. Best.

"Elégie" was published by Schott in 1894, and is dedicated "To W. Dawson, Esq." William Dawson (1851-1924) was (I believe) organist of Hope Street Unitarian Church in Liverpool.

This fine work, "Adagio" in the key of F Minor, is sort of a cross between a stylized funeral march and a dirge. It is dark and thick with extensive use of 16' manual and 32' pedal stops, but the effect is fine, with good harmonic and melodic interest.

The middle section in A-flat, "Poco piu mosso" makes for a nice, "traditional" contrasting central section.

If you listen, you may notice how you hear the diapasons "speaking." No matter how legato I played it, it still sounds a bit too "articulated."

The score is attached below, as well as two photos of William Faulkes, and two, including a NEW one of St. Margaret's, Anfield.

I still have not found any photos of the interior.