Sketch in F

Dr Albert Ernest Floyd (5 January 1877-13 January 1974)

The Sketch in F was just that, a Sketch that was completed by one of his pupils - possible Lindsay O’Neil. It is his most flamboyant piece and calls for Trumpets and Tuba! The main theme kicks off with a few pedal notes each time and leads to a quieter second tune with rising syncopated notes and triplets. A middle section builds to full organ before an outburst on the Tuba leads back to the opening tunes and a rousing conclusion.

Alfred Ernest Floyd was born in Aston, Birmingham in 1877 and after attaining a Doctorate of Music and work in the UK came to Australia in 1915 to take up the position of organist and Choir Director at St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne a position he held for 32 years. He is an inheritor of the English Cathedral Tradition as he was for a number of years assistant at Winchester to Dr G. B. Arnold a pupil of S. S. Wesley. He was at St Pauls for 32 years resigning in 1947. In 1948 he was the first musician to be awarded an OBE for services to music. As well as being a music critic for the Argus, he presented Music Lovers Hour on ABC radio for 24 years. He died in Melbourne in 1974.