Peter J. Wilhousky | |
|---|---|
| Born | 13 July 1902 |
| Died | 4 January 1978 (aged 75) |
| Occupation(s) | Director of music in New York City schools and conductor of the New York All-City High School Chorus |
| Known for | English language setting of "Carol of the Bells"; arrangement of "Battle Hymn of the Republic" |
Peter J. Wilhousky (Ukrainian: Пітер (Петро) Вільговський; 13 July 1902 – 4 January 1978) was an American composer, music educator, and choral conductor of Rusyn descent.[1][2][3] During his childhood he was part of New York's Russian Cathedral Boys Choir and gave a performance at the White House to President Woodrow Wilson.[4] He was featured on several broadcasts of classical music with Arturo Toscanini and the NBC Symphony Orchestra, including the historic 1947 broadcast of Verdi's opera Otello.
In 1936, Wilhousky wrote a popular English version of the Ukrainian song "Shchedryk" by Mykola Leontovych and called it "Carol of the Bells". Wilhousky's 1944 choral arrangement of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1959 with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's Grammy-winning performance, and has become "arguably the most well-known choral arrangement of a hymn or anthem in the United States."[5][6][7]
YouTube Encyclopedic
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Battle Hymn of the Republic, Orchestra & Choir. Peter Wilhousky. Audience Sing-along encore
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Peter Wilhousky’s Carol of the Bells with Patrick Dexter
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The Battle Hymn of the Republic - arr. Peter Wilhousky
Transcription
Former students
As a choral director in New York City, he influenced the future careers of musician Julius La Rosa and scientist Stephen Jay Gould.[8]
Personal life
Wilhousky passed away in 1978 on January 4th at the age of 75, from cancer at Norwalk Hospital. Wilhousky Street in Manville, New Jersey is named after him.[9]
References
- ^ Tomkiw, Lydia. "Toll of the Bells The forgotten history of nationalism, oppression, and murder behind a Christmas classic". Slate.
- ^ Gressa, Greg. "Peter J. Wilhousky". Carpatho-Rusyn Knowledge Base. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
- ^ Honchock, Sadie. "PETER WILHOUSKY, A RELATIVE AND RUSYN COMPOSER". Rusyn Society. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
- ^ Spurr, Sean (26 July 2011). "Carol of the Bells". Christmas Carols. Archived from the original on 28 March 2012.
- ^ "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. 26 October 1959. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ Lloyd, R. Scott (11 March 2006). "Choral directors are feted by choir: Association members join in singing choir's signature tune". Deseret News. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
- ^ Battle Hymn of the Republic. The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. Retrieved 2 December 2022 – via YouTube (official channel).
- ^ Gould, Stephen Jay (6 November 1988). "Strike Up the Choir!". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
- ^ https://www.nytimes.com/1978/01/06/archives/peter-wilhousky-director-of-music-for-public-schools.html
External links
- Peter J. Wilhousky (1902–1978), Prominent Carpatho-Rusyns
- Wilhousky biography
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This page was last edited on 1 June 2024, at 03:00