Sonata No. 1 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.

Sonata No. 1 in D Minor was published by Schott in 1897. It is dedicated: "To C. W. Perkins, Esq. (Organist of the Town Hall, Birmingham). Consisting of 3 movements, it is a true "period piece," and both a lyrical and a fiery, dramatic concert work of about 25 minutes duration.

It is a large and expansive work. For full musical notes, I ask you to see the First Comment.

I want to thank Dr. John Henderson for giving me the score for this piece. MANY of the works by Faulkes have disappeared, and I would never have found this music without his generosity in sharing.

If you enjoy this sonata, you may like "Sonata No. 2 in A Minor" by Faulkes, found here:

http://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/29935

The score is attached below, as well as 2 photos of Faulkes, of St. Margaret's Church, Anfield, of C. W. Perkins, the dedicatee, & organist of Birmingham Town Hall from 1888-1923, and several other photos of that massive, Hill organ.