Peter Joseph Wilhousky[a] (13 July 1902 – 4 January 1978) was an American composer, music educator, and choral conductor of Ruthenian descent.[1][2][3] During his childhood he was part of New York's Ukrainian 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.
Peter Joseph Wilhousky | |
|---|---|
Петро Йосип Вільговський | |
| 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" |
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]
Former students
editAs 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
editWilhousky died on January 4, 1978, at the age of 75, from cancer at Norwalk Hospital. Wilhousky Street in Manville, New Jersey is named after him.[9]
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ "Peter Wilhousky, Director of Music For Public Schools". The New York Times. 1978-01-06. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-04.
External links
edit- Peter J. Wilhousky (1902–1978), Prominent Carpatho-Rusyns
- Wilhousky biography