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Portrait of Peter Wilhousky

Composer

Peter Wilhousky

Rusyn composer, music educator, and choral conductor (1902–1978)

1902–1978

4 works in the index

Born
1902
Died
1978
Birthplace
Passaic
Place of death
Norwalk
Citizenship / historical state
United States
Period (estimated from birth year)
Modern

Biography

Peter Joseph Wilhousky (13 July 1902 – 4 January 1978) was an American composer, music educator, and choral conductor of Rusyn descent. During his childhood he was part of the New York Russian Cathedral Boys Choir and gave a performance at the White House to President Woodrow Wilson. 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". It has been performed and recorded by a wide variety of singers in different genres.

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. It has become "arguably the most well-known choral arrangement of a hymn or anthem in the United States."

Biography excerpt from Wikipedia contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting and reference markers have been removed; the introduction may be shortened. View contributors and article history.

Source revision used for this excerpt

Life and musical career

Occupations
conductor; composer; music teacher; choir director; author; musician
Notable works
Carol of the Bells
Birth name
Peter Joseph Wilhousky
Languages used
English
VIAF ID
16799687
ISNI
0000000106531978
GND ID
135307937
Library of Congress ID
no93037499
MusicBrainz ID
fe27eaad-5cce-4d3f-bcee-a55cb05779bd

Recorded in Wikidata. Affiliations may refer to earlier stages of the composer's career.

In this catalogue

Common listed instruments
percussion, Piano, Bassoon, Cornet, Euphonium
Genres represented
Classical
Works with composition dates
0 of 4

These details describe the indexed sheet music, including arrangements.

Catalogue

Works

Years are composition dates where known. Instruments describe editions in our catalogue and may include arrangements. A dash means the detail is not recorded.

Works and available sheet music details
WorkYear composedCatalogue / opusKey in titleListed instrumentsGenreEditions
Carol of the Bells [Arranged by Andrew Balent] — —— percussionClassical 8
Carol of the Bells — —— Piano— 4
Carol of the Bells [Arranged by Andrew Balent, Text by Mykola D. Leontovich] — —— Piano, Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Horn, Tuba, percussion, Euphonium, Tenor Saxophone— —
Carol Of The Bell [Arranged by Andrew Balent, Text by Mykola D. Leontovich] Performed by Peter Wilhousky — —— Cornet— —

Biographical record: Wikidata, matched on name and checked against dates held in the catalogue. The period label is an estimate from birth year. Authority record: VIAF 16799687.