Sony Classical Releases Edward Power Biggs Plays Historic Organs of Europe
Sony Classical Releases
Edward Power Biggs Plays Historic Organs of Europe
The first set presenting recordings by British-American organist
Album Release Date: January 26, 2024
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The legendary series by Columbia’s top organist for the first time in a set of 6 CDs
All CDs remastered from the original analog tapes using 24 bit / 192 kHz technology
Original LP sleeves and labels, booklet with full discographical notes
The legendary English organist Edward Power Biggs became a household name when his Sunday morning CBS broadcasts introduced radio listeners all over North America to the sound of historic pipe organs and the classical organ repertoire from every period.
In a lifelong search for authenticity, the indefatigable Biggs visited places in Holland, North Germany, England, France, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland where some of the great organist-composers of the Renaissance and Baroque had lived and worked. Between 1961 and 1970, Columbia recorded him in a “Historic Organs of Europe” series, performing music by Bach, Buxtehude, Couperin, Dunstable, Frescobaldi, Andrea and Giovanni Gabrieli, Purcell, Soler, Sweelinck, Tallis and many others.
In his original notes to this ambitious project, which Sony Classical is now reissuing complete in a collection of 6 CDs, Biggs wrote: “It is fascinating to play a composer’s music on the organ he played. You feel that you have touched the lifeline of history. … Beethoven’s orchestra, Bach’s choir are all gone, but the same organs on which great musicians played are still available.”
When these famous recordings were released on LP, Gramophone’s reviewer wrote that “the commanding sweep of the whole panorama makes compulsive listening. … The enthusiasm of Mr. Power Biggs for his subjects makes him the ideal guide: he can turn his hand to any organ and make a neat job of the music, however recalcitrant the actions may be. His performances are sumptuously recorded.” Organ aficionados will relish this new opportunity to experience these musical milestones in this new box set.
Set Contents
DISC 1: Historic Organs of Switzerland
DISC 2: Historic Organs of Spain
DISC 3: Historic Organs of Italy
DISC 4: Historic Organs of France
DISC 5: Historic organs of England
DISC 6: Famous Organs of Holland and North Germany