Carillon on "O Filii et Filiae" (written for Virgil Fox)

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.

The "Carillon on 'O Filii et Filiae'" was published by J. Fischer and Bro. in 1941 and is dedicated "To Virgil Fox." Fox (1912-1980) was still early in his illustrious career at this point.

The work is a driving, French inspired setting of the famous Easter Hymn intended for the Sunday after Easter, "O sons and daughters, let us sing."

I think you'll hear why I say that the piece has "French overtones," but there are certainly strong American elements about it.

The piece is all played upon varying degrees of "full organ," and it got all the "splash and bang" that you would normally associate with something written for Virgil Fox.

The work is based upon the famous melody for the hymn, "O sons and daughters, let us sing," which deals with the risen Jesus appearing to all the disciples except Thomas, who is slow to believe, hence the phrase, "a doubting Thomas."

The score is attached below, as well as a photo of Richard Keys Biggs and one of Virgil Fox at around the time this was written.

Peace and safety to All!