Sunset Meditation

The American organist and composer, Richard Keys Biggs (16 September 1886 — 17 December 1962) received an Hon.Mus.D from Loyola University in Chicago. He studied in London with Sir Richard Runciman Terry, the founder of the Choir and Choir School at Westminster Cathedral (Roman Catholic) in London.

He worked in Southern California, and was organist of the San Diego Exposition, as well as of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Long Beach, as well as several other churches in Canada and in Brooklyn, New York. In all these churches, he either founded or directed choirs of men and boys, so, that "elevates" him, at least in my eyes... ;-). In the 1940’s he was director of the men's and boy's choirs of the new church and parochial school at Blessed Sacrament in Hollywood. California.

For years I've seen his name, but never bothered to look at his music. He is NOT related to the famous concert organist, E. Power Biggs, but his son, John Biggs is also a composer.

I actually thought of Richard Keys Biggs a few days ago when I saw that the Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew in Brooklyn was advertising for an organist and director of music. A LOT has changed there since Biggs was there with his, "large choir of men and boys..." :-(

I guess you can tell without me saying that "Sunset Meditation" is going to fit right into the "Summertime Dream" series! I THINK he was organist at this church when he composed this piece. :-)

It was published by G. Schirmer in 1915. and "Inscribed to Kate E. Wells."

It is a lush, late romantic work, and gives good feature to the Salisbury solo stops. There is also a section where you must "thumb down a counter-melody," so, you're playing on two manuals with one hand.

I played a lot of attention to the detailed use of the Solo box, and you may notice that in the careful, "orchestral shaping" of the solo lines.

The score is attached below, as well as a photo Biggs, and several period photos of the Brooklyn church at which he served.