Intermezzo

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 at times, and 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.

Intermezzo is part of my "Summertime Series." Actually, I suddenly felt depressed today, and wanted something to express that. This was in my "Summer Music" folder, so, I did it.

It comes from one of the "Colored" Schott Organ Albums. They had blue, red, gold, silver, but I'm not sure which "color collection" this is from. To follow the score, you'll need to go to page 32.

The work is dedicated: "To H. T. Wittingham. Esq. Christchurch N. Z." It's always interesting to see just how VERY wide Faulkes' audience was! You can get an idea from all the geographic locations the people for whom he wrote were located!

This one is sincere and intense in the best of Faulkes "salon style." Don't let the key of C major fool you into thinking this was be harmonically dull, because it's not!

There are many intricacies, but I will leave that for the listener to hear.

The score is attached, as well as photos of Faulkes and St. Margaret's Church, Anfield.