FAULKES: Grand Chœur, played on Kotykiewicz harmonium

William Faulkes (1863-1933) was an English organist and composer, born in Liverpool, where he later worked as organist-choirmaster at St. Margaret's church, Anfield. His Grand Chœur in E-flat was probably composed for pipe organ in the first two decades of the twentieth century; Paul Hassenstein arranged it for harmonium, part of a German collection published in 1923. The instrument is a splendid "Court Harmonium" built by the Kotykiewicz firm in Vienna, Austria around 1900; it belongs to a friend and former colleague of mine at the Smithsonian Institution. Performed by Michael Hendron, recorded in concert 1 May 2011 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• William
• Faulkes
• Liverpool
• Michael
• Hendron
• harmonium
• reed
• organ
• Kotykiewicz
• St.
• Paul's
• Street

[TheatreOrganist]

This is a really splendid performance of Faulkes' work and captures the mood and spirit of the piece exactly! Wm Faulkes was an adept harmoniumist and the proud owner of an Apollo two manual and pedal reed organ at his Anfield home. The acoustic in this building is perfect (IMHO) for harmonium music and this great instrument in particular. What a great video.

[Mustel1887]

Thank you very much for your kind comments. I really know very little about Faulkes, so I am interested to hear that he liked harmoniums and had a big Apollo. A contemporary article states that "A unique token of esteem was given him through the gift of a fine two-manual studio organ from the congregation of St. Margaret's." Would this be the Apollo organ? I would appreciate more information on his life and his works for harmonium. Thanks again.

[artemis414]

Since 2009 I've been organist of S.John the Baptist, Tuebrook, Liverpool which was Faulkes's post for some four years 1882-1886 before he moved to S.Margaret's, Anfield. He remained there as organist until his death in 1933. That church burned down c 1960 and was replaced by the present building. The William Hill organ at S.John's can be seen and heard on Youtube along with a movie tour on my channel