Stirling, Elizabeth

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Stirling, Elizabeth

Stirling, Elizabeth, English organist and composer; b. Greenwich, Feb. 26, 1819; d. London, March 25, 1895. She studied organ and piano with Edward Holmes, and harmony with G.A. Macfarren. She was organist of All Saints’, Poplar (1839–59), and at St. Andrew’s, Undershaft (1859–80). In 1856 she passed the examination for the degree of Mus.Bac. at Oxford (her work was Psalm 130 for 5 Voices, with Orch.), but, ironically, her earned degree could not be granted to a woman. She made many organ transcriptions from classical works and pubi. 6 Pedal-Fugues and other organ pieces and also part-songs, of which All among the Barley won great popularity.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire