Meditation (E-flat)

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.

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.

"Meditation" was published by Schott in 1894, and is dedicated "To Carl Gressler, Esq."

Anyone who has gotten familiar with the music of Faulkes, will probably "identify" this as an "earlier" work. It is highly romantic, and is yet another of "those works" that has more than a hint of chamber music about it. It also struck me as a "piano prelude sort," although the writing is always firmly FOR the organ!

I'm afraid that because this is rather "pretty," some may quickly dismiss it as "trite." To me, the sincerity of expression, that is always present in the music of Faulkes, makes it all sound so "natural," that we may miss the skill in composition.

The outer sections contrast perfectly with the more agitated central, and the coda is fine.

The score is attached below, as well as photos of Faulkes, St. Margaret's, and the Hill organ of St. John's, Tue Brook.