Word: organizes
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Died. E. (for Edward) Power Biggs, 70, organ virtuoso who led a revival of interest in his instrument and delighted millions on radio, records and in concerts for 40 years; after an operation for bleeding ulcers; in Boston. Born in England and first trained as an electrical engineer, Biggs "instinctively" moved to the U.S. in 1929. He disapproved of florid romanticism and played modern U.S. composers as well as Bach, Handel and Mozart in his reserved baroque style. An expert on the classic organs built centuries ago, he traveled throughout Europe to find instruments on which to play the music...
Though it is a bit late for the Bicentennial, patriotic spirits ran high. The score, originally a Charles Ives organ fantasia, was orchestrated by William Schuman. It bounced along with marchlike rhythms and even a saucy flamenco. Allusions to country and flag abounded in Thomas Skelton's starry light projections and Willa Kim's red, white and blue costumes. Pinching years into seconds required lightning transformations by Sarry and Baryshnikov. Pioneers became Indians, who eventually turned into Central Park joggers. More than ever, Feld's choreography demanded speed and lucidity. Darting here and there in prickly little...
...close friend retells a story Biggs offered when he spoke before the Guild of Organists recently in New York City. There had been a major controversy over whether to install a real or "fake" (electric) organ in Carnegie Hall. Biggs had been a militant opponent of those who sought to "cheapen" the hall with the modern instrument. He told a tale to illustrate the points of his argument...
Although Biggs never had a formal relationship with Harvard, the organist who was known for his Popeye tee shirt and remarkable ability to ever-so-gently deflate egos had a great deal of influence on music in the college community, as well as the rest of the organ world. Biggs developed an outstanding reputation as choirmaster and organist at Christ Church in Cambridge and Harvard Church in Brookline, second only to his reputation earned through first-rate recordings and broadcasts coast-to-coast and abroad. Biggs also commissioned new music, discovered old music, continually affirmed the importance of playing that...
Such sacrifices for his art marked the fifty-year performing career of one of the world's undisputed organ masters. A Cambridge resident for most of that period, Biggs's most notable contribution to the organ and musical world had its roots in 1937 in Harvard's Busch-Reisinger Museum, where regular coast-to-coast CBS broadcasts--which reached millions of listeners--persuaded the musical public of the glories of authentic performance. In this regard, Biggs will be written in music history books in connection with the resurgent interest in the organ music of J.S. Bach...