Festival-March, Op. 128 No. 1

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 at times, and 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.

The "Festival-March" was published by Arthur P. Schmidt in 1909, and is dedicated: "To Clarence Eddy Esq."

Clarence Eddy (1851-1937) was a great American virtuoso, pupil of Guilmant, and one of the leading organists of his day.

You could not find a grander march than this one, nor a better demonstration of a great cathedral organ, from the quiet of the central trio to the the heroic Solo tuba and thunder of the conclusion!

Faulkes always displays his skill at making the organ sound at its best, and this piece is one of his most magnificent works, and a great addition to the Faulkes Festival that I've been undertaking!

The score is attached below, with photos of William Faulkes, and the two churches around which his career centered, as well as a photo of the dedicatee, Clarence Eddy.

I wish everyone peace, joy and all blessings of this holy season!