Berceuse in G Major

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. 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.

"Berceuse in G" was published by Schott & Co (year unknown), and is dedicated: "To W. Stevenson Hoyte, Esq." William Stevenson Hoyte (1844-1917) was a pupil of John Goss, Organist of All Saints, Margaret Street, and organ professor at the Royal College of Music, and at the Royal Academy of Music. He received his DMus degree from the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1904.

"Berceuse" is a sweet and lovely cradle-song. It is highly chromatic, but in a way that is soothing and expressive, and never shows anxiety. A perfect slumber song!

The score is attached below, as well as two photos of Faulkes and one of St. Margaret's Church, Anfield. In addition, there are several photos of All Saints Church, Margaret Street in London, one of the most famous Anglo-Catholic parishes in the world.