Walter B. Hilse
<p>Renowned organist and composer, Dr. Walter Hilse (July 16, 1941- December 31, 2022) passed away peacefully in his sleep early on December 31, 2022 at home.</p><p><br></p><p>A native New Yorker, he grew up in Astoria, Queens and earned his advanced degrees from Columbia University, with a degree in mathematics as well as in music. He was a student of Nadie Boulanger, Maurice Duruflé, Vincent Persichetti, and Bronson Ragan.</p><p><br></p><p>As a solo performer he appeared throughout the United States, Europe, and the Far East, making triumphant tours of Sweden in 1990, 1994, and l995. He gave five critically acclaimed solo organ recitals at New York City’s Alice Tully Hall, and several complete performances of Bach’s The Art of Fugue. He was a prize-winning fellow of the American Guild of Organists (A.G.O.) and had recently retired from the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music.</p><p><br></p><p>Dr. Hilse’s compositions include over 80 art songs; an a cappella Mass for SATB chorus; over 20 anthems and psalm settings; a setting of various Sabbath-morning texts; compositions for solo organ; a piano suite; and numerous works for instrumental ensemble. He was awarded the Joseph H. Bearns Prize of Columbia University (1966) and the Choral Composition Prize of the Boston Chapter A.G.O. (1974).</p><p><br></p><p>As a musicologist, he specialized in the work of both Paul Hindemith and Christoph Bernhard, and was a regular contributor to The American Organist.</p><p>A man of quiet faith, he was the Artist-in-Residence at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church where he gave numerous recitals, the Associate Organist at Congregation Rodeph Sholom and the organist for Redeemer Presbyterian Church since 1996.</p><p><br></p><p>As a consummate and beloved teacher, Walter was known for the endless support and encouragement he gave to all his students.</p><p><br></p><p>He will be remembered for his virtuosity on the organ, sensitive collaborations with the numerous fine musicians across the city, his sense of humor, quiet wisdom and gentle kindness, not to mention his fondness for cats and good taste in confections.</p><p><br></p><p>Walter is preceded in death by his sister Daisy and parents, Bruno Georg and Elsa (Ditzel) Hilse. He is survived by his wife, Patricia (Pat). A Celebration of Life service is planned in the coming weeks, venue TBD.</p><p><br></p><p>Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones. -- Psalm 116:15</p><p><br></p><p>A Memorial Service will take place on Friday, January 20, 2023 at 2 PM at St. Malachy's Church - 239 West 49th Street (between 7th & 8th Avenues) - New York, NY 10019</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><iframe allowfullscreen="" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" frameborder="0" title="Walter Hilse A Celebration of Life" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DMD-FBDPBmA" height="713" width="1268"></iframe></p>Obituary
Renowned organist and composer, Dr. Walter Hilse (July 16, 1941- December 31, 2022) passed away peacefully in his sleep early on December 31, 2022 at home.
A native New Yorker, he grew up in Astoria, Queens and earned his advanced degrees from Columbia University, with a degree in mathematics as well as in music. He was a student of Nadie Boulanger, Maurice Duruflé, Vincent Persichetti, and Bronson Ragan.
As a solo performer he appeared throughout the United States, Europe, and the Far East, making triumphant tours of Sweden in 1990, 1994, and l995. He gave five critically acclaimed solo organ recitals at New York City’s Alice Tully Hall, and several complete performances of Bach’s The Art of Fugue. He was a prize-winning fellow of the American Guild of Organists (A.G.O.) and had recently retired from the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music.
Dr. Hilse’s compositions include over 80 art songs; an a cappella Mass for SATB chorus; over 20 anthems and psalm settings; a setting of various Sabbath-morning texts; compositions for solo organ; a piano suite; and numerous works for instrumental ensemble. He was awarded the Joseph H. Bearns Prize of Columbia University (1966) and the Choral Composition Prize of the Boston Chapter A.G.O. (1974).
As a musicologist, he specialized in the work of both Paul Hindemith and Christoph Bernhard, and was a regular contributor to The American Organist.
A man of quiet faith, he was the Artist-in-Residence at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church where he gave numerous recitals, the Associate Organist at Congregation Rodeph Sholom and the organist for Redeemer Presbyterian Church since 1996.
As a consummate and beloved teacher, Walter was known for the endless support and encouragement he gave to all his students.
He will be remembered for his virtuosity on the organ, sensitive collaborations with the numerous fine musicians across the city, his sense of humor, quiet wisdom and gentle kindness, not to mention his fondness for cats and good taste in confections.
Walter is preceded in death by his sister Daisy and parents, Bruno Georg and Elsa (Ditzel) Hilse. He is survived by his wife, Patricia (Pat). A Celebration of Life service is planned in the coming weeks, venue TBD.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones. -- Psalm 116:15
A Memorial Service will take place on Friday, January 20, 2023 at 2 PM at St. Malachy's Church - 239 West 49th Street (between 7th & 8th Avenues) - New York, NY 10019
Events
02:00 PM
New York, NY 10019