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Edward Power Biggs was a renowned classical music artist who was born on March 29, 1906, in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, England. He was the son of a clergyman and was raised in a musical family. His father was an amateur organist, and his mother was a pianist. Biggs showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. He later switched to the organ and became a prodigious talent. Biggs received his early education at the Royal Grammar School in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. He then went on to study at the Royal College of Music in London, where he was a student of George Oldroyd. He also studied with Marcel Dupré in Paris and with Nadia Boulanger in Fontainebleau. Biggs made his debut as an organist in 1928 at St. George's Church in Hanover Square, London. He quickly gained a reputation as a virtuoso performer and was in demand as a soloist and accompanist. He made his first recording in 1932, playing the organ at St. George's Church. In 1934, Biggs was appointed as the organist and choirmaster at St. Andrew's Church in Wells Street, London. He held this position until 1940 when he was appointed as the organist and choirmaster at Christ Church, Quincy, Massachusetts, in the United States. Biggs' career in the United States was highly successful. He became a naturalized citizen in 1944 and was appointed as the organist and choirmaster at the Church of the Advent in Boston in 1946. He held this position until 1953 when he was appointed as the organist and choirmaster at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. Biggs' tenure at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine was a highlight of his career. He was responsible for the installation of the largest organ in the world at the time, which had 12,000 pipes. He also gave regular recitals and performed with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Biggs was a prolific recording artist and made over 200 recordings during his career. He recorded for a variety of labels, including Columbia, RCA Victor, and Decca. His recordings of the works of Johann Sebastian Bach are particularly highly regarded. Biggs was also a respected teacher and taught at a number of institutions, including the New England Conservatory of Music, the Juilliard School, and the Eastman School of Music. He was known for his rigorous teaching style and for his ability to inspire his students. Biggs received numerous awards and honors during his career. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1958 and was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1971. He was also awarded the George Peabody Medal in 1963 and the Harvard University Arts Medal in 1976. Biggs died on March 10, 1977, in Boston, Massachusetts, at the age of 70. He was widely mourned by the classical music community and was remembered as one of the greatest organists of the 20th century. His legacy lives on through his recordings, his students, and the many organists who have been inspired by his playing.

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