Peter J. Wilhousky | |
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Born | 13 July 1902 |
Died | 4 January 1978 | (aged 75)
Citizenship | United States |
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]
As a choral director in New York City, he influenced the future careers of musician Julius La Rosa and scientist Stephen Jay Gould. [8]
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]