Grand Chœur in A

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 – or perhaps more correctly, directories from the late 19th and early 20th century. In these, Faulkes 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.

He was born in Liverpool, and 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. He began his studies with the organist, Henry Ditton-Newman. 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, W. T. Best.

Grand Chœur in A was published by G. Schirmer in 1904, and is dedicated: " To R. Hungtington Woodward, Esq. (Brooklyn). Woodward was a well-known American organist, and an officer of the AGO and organist of the First Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn, New York.

This work, while still very "English," shares quite a bit with many of the Grand Chœurs of Guilmant, and other French composers of the period. It is in A-B-A (varied)-Coda form, and is heroically triumphant, featuring rolling pedal scales. The whole thing is given a grandiose treatment, and the Solo tuba gets a few chances before the thunderous close.

The score is attached below, as well as two photos of William Faulkes, of St. Margaret's Church, Anfield, and a photo of the dedicatee, R. Hungtington Woodward.