Romance in D Minor

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.

I've had this piece on my music rack for a long time. I had the need to play something sad and emotional, so, I did it. It's probably the "wrong" emotion that it conveys.

"Romance" was published by Schott in the first few years of the century. It is dedicated: "To Samuel Arthur Rawkins, Esq."

I can't speak to whether I filled this with "sadness," but it is full of emotion. The very slow tempo markings are "correct," and act as a "relative guide" as to where to move and where to hold back. The dark, rich D minor feels like it is the "right key" for this work. The Swell Vox Humana plays a prominent part in this colorful and intense movement.

Because of the soft output, I have normalized this a bit, but it is still a soft volume level. Boosting too much also emphasizes the loud tremulant, which is heard a lot, since so much of the piece uses the VH.

The score is attached, as well as photos of Faulkes and St. Margaret's Church, Anfield.