Biggs, E(dward George) Power
Biggs, E(dward George) Power
Biggs, E(dward George) Power, eminent English-born American organist; b. Westcliff on Sea, Essex, March 29, 1906; d. Boston, March 10, 1977. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London, graduating in 1929. In 1930 he emigrated to the U.S. and became a naturalized citizen in 1937. After making his N.Y. recital debut in 1932, he launched a career as one of the most distinguished concert organists of his time. He became particularly popular via his weekly CBS radio broadcasts (1942–58), his extensive recital tours, and his numerous recordings. His repertoire was vast, ranging from the great masters of the past to scores commissioned from contemporary composers, among them Piston, Harris, Hanson, and Quincy Porter; Britten also wrote a work for him. Biggs refused to perform on electronic organs, which in his opinion vulgarized and distorted the classical organ sound. His own style of performance had an unmistakable austerity, inspired by the Baroque school.
Bibliography
B. Owen, E.P. B.: Concert Organist (Bloomington, Ind., 1987).
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire