E. Power to the People

a celebration (Part 1 of 2) of the 100th birthday of one of the most influential and effective advocates for the pipe organ, the late, great E. (Edward George) Power Biggs (March 29, 1906-March 10, 1977).

Listen to the program

Program Broadcast dates:

Week of March 27, 2006

In this program, we listen to several of Biggsy’s earliest recordings (some from 78-rpm sources), and recall his path—breaking ‘rediscovery’ of historic pipe organs in Germany, Spain, France, England, Italy, and Austria, which offered new sonic perspectives to America’s music lovers. We also include reminiscences from Georg Steinmeyer, then a young German visiting the United States whom Biggs hired to make travel arrangements and assist with recordings during the first two European expeditions in 1954/55.

Links and Resources:

Music played in the program

J. S. BACH: Toccata in d, S. 565 (1949 Aeolian-Skinner/Boston Symphony Hall, MA) Columbia ML-4500, 1951; (1958 Flentrop/Busch-Reisinger Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA) CBS/Sony CD-46551 1964

BACH: 2 Chorale-preludes Nun freut euch, lieben Christen, S. 734; Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, S. 659 (1937 Aeolian-Skinner/Germanic Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA) RCA M-616, 1939

BACH: Passacaglia in c, S. 582 (finale, excerpt) (1932 Aeolian-Skinner/Memorial Church, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA) RCA DM-1048, 1946

DARIUS MILHAUD: Pastorale (1938 Aeolian-Skinner/Saint Paul’s Chapel, Columbia University, New York, NY) Columbia ML-4331, 1950

BACH (attrib.): Fugue in C (Fanfare) (1949 Aeolian-Skinner/Boston Symphony Hall, MA) Columbia ML-4500, 1951

J. S. BACH: Prelude & Fugue in c, S. 549 (1721 Schnitger/Saint Michael’s Church, Zwolle, Netherlands) Columbia MS-6005, 1958

JOHANN PACHELBEL: Toccata in d (1750 Gabler/Weingarten Abbey, Germany) Columbia KSL-219, 1955

W. A. MOZART: Festival Sonata in C, K. 329 (1924 Mauracher/Salzburg Cathedral, Austria); Camerata Academica, Bermhard Paumgartner, conductor Columbia K3L-231, 1956

ERNST PEPPING: Chorale-prelude, Freut euch, ihr Christen alle (1680 Arp Schnitger/Saint Peter & Paul Church, Cappel, Germany) Columbia M2S-697, 1964

BACH: Chorale-prelude, In dulci jubilo, S. 740 (1770 Mallon, Eisenstadt Parish Church, Austria) CBS/Sony CD-42646, 1963

JOHANN GOTTFRIED WALTHER: Concerto in A after Gentili (1714 Gottfried Silbermann/Freiberg Cathedral, Germany) Columbia M-31205, 1972

BACH: Toccata in C, S. 564 –four organs (Marcussen, Rieger and Dold/Freiburg Cathedral, Germany) CBS/Sony CD-42643, 1973

ANTONIO de CABEZON: Dic nobis Maria (1801 Verdalonga/Toledo Cathedral, Spain) Columbia KL-5167, 1957

PADRE ANTONIO SOLER: Emperor’s Fanfare, from Concerto No. 6 (Emperor’s Organ, Toledo Cathedral, Spain) Columbia MS-7109, 1968

FRANCOIS COUPERIN: Fanfare in D; Rondeau in D (1710 Andreas Silbermann/Marmoutier Abbey, France) Columbia MS-7438, 1972

DON CARLO GESUALDO: Gagliarda del Principe (1596 Malamini/Basilica of San Petronio, Bologna, Italy) Columbia MS-7379, 1969

GIOVANNI GABRIELI: Intonation on the 11th Tone; Motet in 14 Parts for 3 Choirs, Nunc dimittis (Rieger chamber organ); Texas Boys Choir; Gregg Smith Singers; Edward Tarr Brass Ensemble, Vittorio Negri, conductor CBS Sony CD-42645, 1968

G.F. HANDEL: Organ Concerto No. 12 in B-flat, Op. 7, no. 6 (1747 Parker/Great Packington Church, Warwickshire; London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Adrian Boult, conductor CBS/Sony CD-45825, 1959