Crépuscule (Twilight), Op. 36, No. 2

Charles Rudolf Friml (December 7, 1879 – November 12, 1972) was a Czech-born composer of operettas, musicals, songs and piano pieces, as well as a pianist. After musical training and a brief performing career in his native Prague, Friml moved to the United States, where he became a composer. His best-known works are Rose-Marie and The Vagabond King, each of which enjoyed success on Broadway and in London and were adapted for film.

Crépuscule (Twilight) is the 2nd of "3 Morceaux" published by Arthur P. Schmidt in 1908. It is originally a piano solo, and this fine arrangement was done by our friend, William Faulkes (1863-1933).

It's yet another one of those "period pieces," now essentially unplayed and long forgotten. It certain belongs in my "Summertime Dreams" series!

The Hereford Willis, which is one of the most popular British organs for recordings, is a fine example of a grand cathedral instrument, but is not really an "high romantic" instrument. Still, if used "creatively," it more than delivers the goods!

I followed the registrational ideas of Faulkes for the most part, but things like the Vox Humana don't exist on this organ. For that, I think the Solo Cor Anglais with tremulant, which is quite fast, is an excellent, perhaps "better" substitute.

The Choir Dulciana is soft, but punctuates the repeated chords nicely.

This piece requires the technique of "thumbing down" in the middle section. Faulkes asks that the "thumb down passages" be played on the Great 8' flute, but I decided that I'd use the... Well, you'll hear it for yourself!

The novel result actually came out very nicely, and I really enjoyed doing the piece. I've also got the third one of the three "Mélodie sentimentale," and I'll do that tomorrow. Unfortunately, I do not have the first one, "L'aurore (At Dawn)". :-(

The score is attached below, as well as two photographs of Rudolf Friml and one of William Faulkes.

Much more "highly assorted" music to come!