Nocturne in F Minor, Op. 55 No. 1 (transcribed by William Faulkes)

Frédéric François Chopin (1810 – 1849), born Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin, was a Polish composer and virtuoso pianist of the Romantic era, who wrote primarily for the solo piano. He gained and has maintained renown worldwide as one of the leading musicians of his era, whose "poetic genius was based on a professional technique that was without equal in his generation." A child prodigy, he completed his musical education and composed many of his works in Warsaw before leaving Poland, aged 20, less than a month before the outbreak of the November 1830 Uprising. At the age of 21 he settled in Paris. Thereafter, during the last 18 years of his life, he gave only some 30 public performances, preferring the more intimate atmosphere of the salon. He supported himself by selling his compositions and teaching piano, for which he was in high demand. Chopin formed a friendship with Franz Liszt and was admired by many of his musical contemporaries, including Robert Schumann. Through most of his life, Chopin suffered from poor health. He died in Paris in 1849, probably of tuberculosis.

This very well-known piece was described as follows: "The chief subject is gloomy and melancholy in mood. We may be permitted to think of a wanderer, who goes his way, solitary and sad, after taking leave of his beloved home and all his dear ones. The second subject is 'march-like' in character, as if the wanderer had resolved henceforth to go on more courageously. A stormy section brings back the return before passing into a closing part that hurries, lightly and swiftly away. The last measures sound like: 'Thank God - the goal is reached."

The fine transcription is by the ENglish organist, William Faulkes (1863-1933)

I think this worked very well on St. Omer, and all of the changes in registration could be done with 2 assistants. After trying a different scheme for 2 days, I finally changed everything, and this is the version I present here.