Stirling, Elizabeth

1819-1895

Well-known English organist and composer; born at Greenwich. She studied the piano and organ with Edward Holmes and W. B. Wilson and harmony with Sir G. A. Macfarren and James Alexander Hamilton. In 1839 she became organist at All Saints, Poplar, where she remained until 1858, when she was the successful competitor for the post of organist at St. Andrews, Undershaft, a position she filled until 1880. In 1856 she submitted to Oxford College a musical arrangement of the Hundred and Thirtieth Psalm for five voices and orchestra; but though this work was accepted and highly praised she did not obtain the degree of Bachelor of Music, because the University lacked the power to grant it to a woman. In 1863 she married Frederick Albert Bridge, the wellknown musical conductor and lecturer. She died in London in 1895. As an organist she was noted for her fine pedal playing. She has published two grand voluntaries; six very fine pedal fugues; eight slow movements and other organ-pieces, besides over fifty songs and duets, and arrangements of the works of Bach, Mozart and Handel.