Marche des Fantômes (Happy Halloween!)

The Rev. Frederick Scotson Clark (1840-1883) was the founder of the London Organ School and was also Organist of Exeter College, Oxford.

His mother had been a student of Frederic Chopin.

He composed over 100 piano works, as well as a large number of organ pieces, most of them being small "service" pieces.

His marches achieved quite a bit of success and were often available in both organ and piano solo versions.

"Marche des Fantômes" is the third in the collection of "Fifteen Marches," copyrighted by G. Schirmer in 1897.

I was hoping to find something "ghoulish" for Halloween, but this one is "just another English Victorian march" I suppose, but it's still nice enough. I suppose one could imagine it to be ghoulish with a little imagination!

I tried to use the ascending triplet run as the "step-off point" for the procession, but you'll have to judge for yourself. :-)

It's not hard to see why Frederick Scotson Clark was often called the "English Lefébure-Wély", although I suppose the Frenchman was more daring and more extroverted.

In listening to the playback, I couldn't help but see the army of ghouls in order and having a ghostly sergeant-major, speaking in a voice like the actor, Trevor Howard: "Ghoul Parade, right face! Step!" - and off they go... ;-)

The score is attached below, as well as two photos of Exeter College, Oxford, where Clark was organist and director of music.

A safe and happy day to all!