William Faulkes

George William Henry Faulkes (1863–1933) – known professionally as William Faulkes[1] – was an English musician now best known as the composer of organ music.[2]

William Faulkes
Born
George William Henry Faulkes

(1863-11-04)November 4, 1863
Liverpool,England
DiedJanuary 25, 1933(1933-01-25) (aged 69)
Liverpool, England
Occupations
  • Organist
  • Composer

Early life
St Margaret's Anfield c.1910.

Faulkes was a native of Liverpool, where he spent most of his working life. His early general education was under the aegis of his mother and older sister assisted by William Dawson, another Liverpool organist. At the age of 10 William joined the choir of St Margaret's church, Anfield, and his music education continued under the church's organist Henry Ditton Newman.[3]

Church organist
St John the Baptist, Tuebrook in 2017.

Faulkes's first appointment as church organist was at St John the Baptist Tuebrook (1881–86). He then returned to St Margaret's Anfield as organist in 1886,[3] where he remained in post until his death.

Orchestral conductor

He was conductor of the Anfield Orchestral Society from 1908.[3]

Compositions

Faulkes published over 500 organ works, for which he is best known.[2] He also composed choral music, songs, and chamber and orchestral works.[3]

Recording artist

Such was his reputation that before and after the Great War Faulkes journeyed several times to Germany to record player rolls for the Welte Company.[2] These rolls survive in the Seewen Museum of Music Automatons in Switzerland.[4] Some have been recorded on CD.[5][6]

Further resources
  • CD:William Faulkes (1863–1933): An Edwardian concert with England’s organ composer, performed by Duncan Ferguson.[7]
  • CD: 'William Faulkes: Rhapsodie on Old French Carols'. Die Welte-Philharmonie-Orgel/The Britannic Organ.[5]
  • CD: 'William Faulkes: Festmarsch (Festival March) Op. 128 No. 1'. Die Welte-Philharmonie-Orgel/The Britannic Organ.[6]
  • Public-domain sheet music by William Faulkes at IMSLP Petrucci Music Library.[1]
  • Details of works published by William Failkes and available in UK libraries can be found at Jisc Library Hub Discover[8]
  • William Faulkes. Idylll (1902). Andrew Pink (2021) 'Exordia ad missam'.

References
  1. William', IMSLP Petrucci Music Library. Online resource, accessed 1 May 2021.
  2. Malcolm Riley (n.d.) 'Faulkes Organ Music' in The Gramophone: digital edition. Online resource, accessed 1 May 2021.
  3. [T. Scott Buhrman. 'William Faulkers'] in The American Organist. Vol. 2 No. 7 July 1919.20–21. 20.
  4. Seewen Museum of Music Automatons. Museum website, accessed 1 May 2021
  5. 'Faulkes: Rhapsodie on Old French Carols'. Die Welte-Philharmonie-Orgel/The Britannic Organ, Vol. 2: A Christmas Voyage. Oehms Classics OC842 (2011)
  6. 'Faulkes: Festmarsch (Festival March) Op. 128 No. 1'. Die Welte-Philharmonie-Orgel/The Britannic Organ, Vol. 9. Oehms Classics OC845 (2011)
  7. Delphion DCD34148-CD (2015). Company webpage, accessed 1 May 2021.
  8. 'William Faulkes' at Jisc Library Hub Discover. Online resource accessed 1 May 2021.
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