Richard Keys Biggs
  • VocesCapituli
    Posts: 63
    Dear musiclovers, once again I turn to you. I am looking for a mass by Richard Keys Biggs. It's official title is 'Mass in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi' for 3 male voices and organ. As it is based on the theme 'Puer natus est' I hope to find it in time for Christmas.
    Dirk Maes
    Voces Capituli
    Belgium
    Thanked by 1JonathanLC
  • Jeffrey Quick
    Posts: 1,495
    Oddly, there's a copy at Ave Maria University. But neither the record for that one or the U. of North Texas copy lists a scoring (and so many of these were published in various scorings.)

    It looks like this is a job for a private collector.
  • melofluentmelofluent
    Posts: 4,160
    JQ, was this SoCal fellow Biggs the one who curated and arranged vocal music from the California Missions?
  • dad29
    Posts: 1,700
    He was the father-in-law to Roger Wagner....
  • Paul F. Ford
    Posts: 795
    Dirk, I'll try too get a copy for you from his daughter.
    Thanked by 1chonak
  • VocesCapituli
    Posts: 63
    Wow, Paul, thank you very much for trying. I found some masses by Biggs, but the one I am looking for is nowhere to find. If you would get a copy, please include the adress of his daughter. I would love to keep her posted about us singing her father's music.
  • VocesCapituli
    Posts: 63
    Dear Paul, did you have any luck yet ?
  • VocesCapituli
    Posts: 63
    Dear Paul, ... Christmas is crawling near ... any luck yet on the mass ?
  • Paul F. Ford
    Posts: 795
    I called his daughter today and she will look for it.
  • VocesCapituli
    Posts: 63
    great ! Thanks
  • VocesCapituli
    Posts: 63
    Dear Paul, did you hear anything about the mass ?
  • Paul F. Ford
    Posts: 795
    His daughter is sending me the music.
  • ronkrisman
    Posts: 1,315
    My understanding is that McLaughlin & Reilly, the publisher of Biggs' Mass in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, was acquired by the Summy-Birchard Company.

    And Summy-Birchard, while still using that name on publications, since 1988 has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., 10585 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025.

    One could enquire of Warner/Chappell whether they still have available for purchase the Biggs' Mass setting in question (as well as other works published by McLaughlin & Reilly).
  • VocesCapituli
    Posts: 63
    Dear Paul, I haven't heard of you since october 9. Any news on the mass by Biggs ? I tried all the suggestions by ronkrisman (thanks !), but alas, no succes.
    Dirk
  • VocesCapituli
    Posts: 63
    such a pity it didn't arrive in time for christmas this year. Still hope to get it for next year then.
  • VocesCapituli
    Posts: 63
    It has been months since I heard from you ! Still hope the mass is coming my way.
  • Felipe Gasper
    Posts: 785
    Dirk, did you try to contact Summy-Birchard or Warner/Chappell directly? Just a thought.
  • VocesCapituli
    Posts: 63
    Dear friends, I a still looking for the mass by Briggs mentionend above. I tried the publishers ... no luck !
  • Paul F. Ford
    Posts: 795
    Tried to obtain this for you from his daughter and his son. No luck.

    His daughter gave me scores for the Mass in honor of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the Mass dedicated to Fray Junípero Serra, and the Mass In Te Speravi.

    I've not been able to connect with his son.

    Have you tried that Library of Congress?
  • cmb
    Posts: 60
    @VocesCapituli Appears we have this in our collection. Sending you a PM.
  • oldhymnsoldhymns
    Posts: 119
    Here is the SATB of Richard Keys Biggs' Missa Puer Natus Est--in Honor of St. Francis of Assisi. I hope you find it useful--maybe for next Christmas!

    I have all of Biggs' Masses, but my favorite is the one in honor of Junipero Serra.
    Missa_Puer_Natus_Est_in_honor_of_St._Francis_Assisi_Richard_Keys_Biggs.pdf
    1M
    Thanked by 3CHGiffen tomjaw Don9of11
  • Jeffrey Quick
    Posts: 1,495
    Just a note: Biggs' music is (at least for now) public domain in Canada, where IMSLP's main servers are. If people are holding music, I strongly urge them to scan it and make it available there, which will tend to shorten threads such as this. I'm willing to be of technical assistance, with scanning advice or the actual scanning or putting up.
    Thanked by 3tomjaw eft94530 cesarfranck
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