William Spark (1823-1897) was the son of a lay-vicar of Exeter Cathedral and later became a chorister there, and studied with Samuel Sebastian Wesley, the greatest church musician of the day, He moved to to Leeds in 1842, when Wesley was named organist of Leeds Parish Church. Spark became his deputy/assistant there.
He then worked as organist and choirmaster at Chapeltown Church. In 1850 he was appointed organist to St George's Church, and in 1859 he helped to design the organ for Leeds Town Hall together with Henry Smart. The following year he was appointed Leeds Municipal Organist and held the post until his death in 1897.
He was a major contributor to the musical life of 19th century Leeds. He founded the Leeds Madrigal and Motet Society and the Leeds Recreation Society. The latter organised People's Concerts in the Albion Street Music Hall from 1852-1859. From 1864 he helped to organised orchestral subscription concerts at Leeds Town Hall and was a key organizer of the Leeds Triennial Musical Festivals.
During his lifetime he served as editor of various musical publications and wrote several books in addition to numerous organ and choral compositions.
If you were expecting one of those "great French carillons," you may be feeling cheated or tricked! Sorry, if you are. :-)
This work is vastly different, featuring chant like phrases, alternating with bell-like passages. The music is "ordinary" in style and form, but probably delighted Spark's large audiences at his Leeds Town Hall recitals.
A photo of William Spark and photos of Leeds Parish Church, Leeds Town Hall, and the organ there, during various stages of its existence.
The score is much too large (almost 30MB) to attach. You can find 9 complete volumes (out of 10) of the "Organist's Quarterly Journal" here:
https://imslp.org/wiki/The_Organist's_Quarterly_Journal_(Various)
This work can be found in Volume 6.
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