E. Power to the People II

A continuing centennial tribute to one of the most influential and effective advocates for the pipe organ, the late, great Edward George Power Biggs March 29, 1906—March 10, 1977.

Audio Listen to the program

Program Broadcast dates:

Week of April 3, 2006

With the cheery, trend-setting sounds of his Flentrop organ at Harvard’s Busch-Reisinger Museum, Biggs championed the ‘classic’ organ and its solo repertoire. But he also explored other music, including works with brasses, orchestras, choirs, and composers outside the classic canon. Details tba.

Links and Resources:

Music played in the program

J.S. BACH: Prelude in a, S. 543 (1958 Flentrop/Adolphus Busch Hall, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA) Sony Classical SBK 46551

GIOVANNI GABRIELI: Intonazioni decimo tono. GIROLAMO FRESCOBALDI: Canzon prima in GIOVANNI GABRIELI: Intonazioni duodecimo tono; Canzon per sonare Number 4 –Daniel Pinkham, harpsichord; Boston Brass Ensemble (1958 Flentrop/Adolphus Busch Hall, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA) Sony Classical MHK 62353

PADRE ANTONIO SOLER: Andantino, from Double Concerto Number 3 in G –Daniel Pinkham (1780 Hess chamber organ); E. Power Biggs (1958 Flentrop/Adolphus Busch Hall, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA) Columbia MS-6208/7174

PAUL HINDEMITH: Ruhig bewegt, from Organ Sonata Number 2 [1937] (1958 Flentrop/Adolphus Busch Hall, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA) Columbia MS-6234

PAUL HINDEMITH: Fugue, from Concerto for Organ and Chamber Orchestra, Opus 46, number –2 Columbia Chamber Orchestra, Richard Burgin, conductor (1950 Aeolian-Skinner/Symphony Hall, Boston, MA) Columbia ML-5199

JOSEF RHEINBERGER: Con moto, 3rd movement, from Concerto Number 1 in F, Opus 137 –Columbia Chamber Orchestra, Maurice Peress, conductor (1958 Möller/St. George Episcopal, New York, NY) Columbia M-32297

CÉSAR FRANCK: Piece héroïque (1958 Möller/St. George Episcopal, New York, NY) Sony Classical SK 60287

CHARLES-MARIE WIDOR: Lord, save thy people –Columbia Brass & Percussion Ensemble, Maurice Peress, conductor (1958 Möller/St. George Episcopal, New York, NY) Columbia M-31193

AARON COPLAND: Scherzo, from Symphony for Organ and Orchestra (1962 Aeolian-Skinner/Philharmonic Hall, Lincoln Center, New York, NY); New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein, conductor; Sony Classical SMK 63155

DAVID MORITZ MICHAEL: Movements from The Instrumental Suites: Moderato; Waldhorn; Presto; Chorale (1804 Tannenberg/York Historical Society, York, PA) Columbia MS-6161

EDWARD MacDOWELL: A.D. 1620, from Sea Pieces, Opus 55, number 3. SCOTT JOPLIN: Marching Onward, from Treemonisha (1863 E.F. Walcker; 1947 Aeolian-Skinner/Methuen Music Hall, Methuen, MA) Columbia M-34129