Alleluia, Op. 183, No. 1

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. His compositional output is wide and varied, but the bulk of his music is for the organ, and many of his works are finely crafted.

I think the fact that Faulkes was not a "big-time" Oxford or Cambridge guy, really worked against him, holding this "nobody" back. However, the quality of his works and reputation endure.

"Alleluia" was published by G. Schirmer in 1917 as the first in a set of 4 pieces. It is a joyous and thunderous outburst that sets a single recurrent phrase through a series of key centers. Marked "Molto maestoso" the music is always on the move. It reminds me of a "French-style processional," and a piece by Gounod comes to mind.

Whatever the "nationality," the drive and impact are superb!

This is also a great etude for legato octave playing! :-)

Score and photos attached.