WILDERWORLD: Recent Episodes
Alec Wilder
The final show, # 40, originally broadcast March 30, 1978
Host Alec Wilder
Co-host Loonis McGlohon
Yes, that's Alec singing on If I'd Only Done What Mother Told Me To
Sometimes there is just one thing you can say about the world around you, and in that spirit Wilderworld now unleashes upon the world the mythical and hilarious If You See Kay, with words by Alec Wilder and music by Morty Palitz. This recording is from an acetate, privately waxed by Jimmy Carroll and Orchestra in 1950. It has rarely, if ever, been heard over the past 70 years.
In 2011, we asked legendary publisher Howie Richmond, of TRO, about If You See Kay.
He said, "I plead guilty to being 'the publisher.' It was really a joke which Alec, together with Bill Engvick, Morty Palitz and Jimmy Carroll had recorded during one of their sessions. A dub copy was given to a NYC late night disc jockey, named Jack Eigen who had a show at the Paradise Restaurant on the mezzanine floor of the Brlll building. His format was to introduce new releases via advance pressings, requesting the audience to call in and offer their opinions.
"Some of the listeners caught on to the title and that evening there was a genuine commotion. Within a day or two it was gone and forgotten, and Mr. Eigen ceased auditioning new releases."
Bill Engvick's recollection of the song was, "It was played on the air just once, and the switchboard lit up with furious listeners. I resented their waste of a nice tune, so TRO published it under the title If You See Jean."
Enjoy!
Don't miss the 35th Annual Friends of Alec Wilder Concert on November 7, 2020 at 2p EST. You can watch this year's performances from the comfort of your home! See the photo for more details, and go to www.alecwildermusicandlife.com to find the link to the Concert on Youtube, when it is posted.
Music by Alec Wilder, from the film Open the Door and See All the People by Jerome Hill
Orchestra conducted by Samuel Baron
SIDE A - 1. I See It Now 2. 5/4 Dance 3. Love Is When 4. Bill’s Theme 5. Taylor Mead Theme 6. Hat In Sky 7. Potted Palm #1 8. Potted Palm #2 9. Gypsy Theme 10. Recorder and Bass Duet 11. Steak Chase 12. Vespa Waltz
SIDE B – 1. Platform Dance (Two Versions) 2. Astroillogical Parlor 3. Chase Through Woods 4. Mimosa’s Solitude 5. Lonely Girl 6. Mimosa and Me 7. Unbelievable (Two Versions) 8. Mimosa’s Paris Dance 9. Potted Palm #3 10. Dance for B.B.
How many melodies can you pick out that later became Wilder songs?
The film, from a script originally titled Peacock Feathers, can be seen at https://vimeo.com/channels/223455/121184030
The first draft of the script can be found at http://www2.mnhs.org/library/findaids/00565/pdfa/mstpeacock.pdf
Performed by the Eastman Orchestra, Rochester, New York
Don't miss the 34th annual FRIENDS OF ALEC WILDER CONCERT on Saturday October 12, 2019 at 3 p.m. at St. Peter's Church, 619 Lexington Avenue in New York City
See photo for details
See you there!
Recorded in early April 1976, with a broadcast date of October 3, 1976, it's American Popular Song Show #1! This is the first show NPR listeners heard, and, for many, their first exposure to Alec Wilder
Singer Barbara Lea joins Alec and Loonis for a lively exploration of the pastoral songs of Willard Robison (1894-1968), "a strange, indigenous talent"
All songs by Willard Robison, except
Plenty Good Enough For Me lyrics by Loonis McGlohon, music by Alec Wilder
Mel Alexander plays bass, Tony Cooper drums. Clarinet on Deep Ellum Blues by Bob Mitchell
Thank you, SCETV, original producer of this great series! Please consider re-running it again!
For an illuminating contemporaneous look at American Popular Song radio show #1 see
https://www.nytimes.com/1976/10/01/archives/radio-alec-wilder-and-the-art-of-pop-song.html
“Songs are part of my emotional being. And I'm not ashamed of it at all. I've written half a ton of concert music. It's an entirely different point of view. And yet I go back to songs like I go back to an old friend, to a garden, to a fireplace, to a cat that's come back after being away.” – Alec Wilder
Don't miss the 33rd Annual FRIENDS OF ALEC WILDER CONCERT at the Shapeshifter Lab, 18 Whitwell Place in Brooklyn, New York on Sunday, September 16, 2018! See the photo for details
Alec Lives!
A rare example of Alec Wilder singing his own song, accompanied on piano by Loonis McGlohon, recorded October 8, 1975
Words by Arnold Sundgaard, Music by Alec Wilder
From the musical play Western Star, originally titled The Wind Blows Free and based upon the Book of Job
Photo of Alec and Loonis taken February 1970 by Elmer Horton
Words and Music by Alec Wilder (and, on this record only, "S. Murphy")
The 33rd annual Friends of Alec Wilder Concert will take place on Sunday, September 16, 2018 at the Shapeshifter Lab, 18 Whitwell Place in Brooklyn, New York at 3 p.m. Be there!
Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder. By Jimmy Boyd with the Norman Luboff Choir.
This is an acetate of a never-released Columbia Records recording featuring child singing star Boyd, and produced by Mitch Miller. Very timely tune!
Today marks the 10th Anniversary of the day I started the Wilderworld podcast! Thank you to all who have come here over the past decade to enjoy Alec's music. It is gratifying to have had the opportunity to share my extensive Wilder collection with tens of thousands of music appreciators around the world.
As a candidate for the San Francisco School Board in the November 8 election, I hope wherever you are you make sure to get out and vote. Especially if you're in San Francisco and voting for me! Rob Geller for SF School Board! Rob4sfSchoolBoard2016.wordpress.com
A Cantata for The Theatre
Text by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder
Miss Chicken Little was broadcast on CBS' Omnibus television program on December 27, 1953
Jo Sullivan as Miss Chicken Little, with Charlotte Rae and Jim Hawthorne
Recording is from a live soundstage air check acetate disc
At 7:29 the missing line is, "It was just an acorn," sung by one of the hens
The late, great wordsmith of this remarkable production, William Clark Engvick, was born on July 1, 1914, 100 years ago today. Happy birthday, Bill!
Obituary: William Engvick, Lyricist for Musicals and Popular Songs, Dies at 98
William Engvick, witty and eloquent writer of musicals from the Golden Age of Television, and lyrics for such popular songs as The Song from Moulin Rouge (Where is Your Heart), Moon and Sand and While We’re Young, died September 4, 2012 in Oakland, California following a brief illness. He was 98.
Engvick, known largely for his many collaborations with eclectic composer Alec Wilder, contributed lyrics to musical versions of Pinocchio and Hansel and Gretel, which aired nationally on NBC Television in the late 1950s, and featured music by Wilder. Some of the top Broadway talent of the day starred in these live productions, including Barbara Cook, Mickey Rooney, Fran Allison, Red Buttons and Stubby Kaye. Met opera star Rise Stevens sang Hansel and Gretel’s Evening Song (Soft Through the Woodland), a typically tender and heartfelt Engvick creation.
As a writer during the peak of the American Popular Song era, Engvick’s mellifluous words filled the mouths of many of the leading singers of the day, from Peggy Lee and Mel Torme to Marlene Dietrich and Johnnie Ray. In 1965, Frank Sinatra recorded Wilder and Engvick’s I See It Now, an autobiographical song with a memorable first stanza that helped put the lyricist’s hometown of Oakland on the map: “That year in Oakland High / When I was 17 / The grass from there to San Jose / Was high and cool and green / I see it now.”
“It was just something that I wanted to write about myself, a true memory piece. The grass really was high and cool and green,” recalled Engvick, who thought Sinatra was attracted to the “touch of seriousness” about the song, and by the line “‘loves have come and gone,’ because that’s precisely what happened to him.”
Called upon frequently by Mitch Miller, head of A&R at Columbia Records and Engvick’s friend and neighbor in Stony Point, New York, Engvick penned such popular tunes as Kiss and Run, Bonnie Blue Gal, Follow Me, All Yours, I’ll Remember Today and Make It Soon. In the last years before rock’n’roll began to dominate the musical landscape, he tirelessly churned out material for many Columbia artists, including Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, Don Cherry, Liberace and Jo Stafford.
Engvick’s greatest commercial success came with The Song from Moulin Rouge (Where is Your Heart), an English rewrite of a French song introduced by Zsa Zsa Gabor in the award-winning John Huston film Moulin Rouge. Percy Faith’s recording of it, with Felicia Sanders singing Engvick's lyric, bewitched the radio airwaves throughout the summer of 1953, holding the Number One spot on the Billboard charts for 10 weeks straight. The song inspired sales of over one million copies of sheet music, and has been performed and recorded by hundreds of artists.
Many of Engvick’s assignments were, in fact, to write English words for tunes that had gained popularity in Europe sung in a foreign tongue. Engvick's version usually ended up telling a very different story from the original. “I never learned a foreign language, and didn’t want to know what the original words meant,” said Engvick. “I always started from scratch.” Among the titles he rewrote was Anna, from the movie of the same name, which had been a hit Spanish record for actress Silvana Mangano. The irresistible song about a girl who desires to dance the Bayon hit piano racks across America as a song about a heartbreaker named Anna who’s “got to be kissed.”
Engvick’s various musical collaborators included such luminaries as Cole Porter – their It’s Just Like the Good Old Days was written for Porter’s Broadway-bound musical comedy Mexican Hayride, but went unused – Les Paul, Mark Laub, Roy Kral, Bob Thompson and Edith Piaf, but Engvick said his most satisfying work had always been with Wilder.
Engvick and Wilder first met in 1939 when an agent brought Engvick’s revue Ladies and Gents to the attention of the singular composer, who declared it to be “fresh air” and quickly came up with melodies to match the captivating words. A prolific writing team was born. Over the next three decades, Wilder and Engvick wrote musicals, operas and dozens of songs, at least two of which, Moon and Sand and While We’re Young, written in the early ‘40s with Morty Palitz, remain ubiquitous jazz standards to this day.
Other well-known Engvick and Wilder songs include The Lady Sings the Blues, I Like It Here, The April Age, Who Can I Turn To? and Crazy in the Heart. Wilder, who praised Engvick as a master of the “singing line,” maintained that the writer James Thurber “became obsessed with While We’re Young and claimed it was one of the finest pieces of English writing he had ever heard.”
Although Ladies and Gents was never produced – it came tantalizingly close to a Broadway run – Engvick and Wilder did manage to stage small-scale productions of their operas The Long Way and Miss Chicken Little. The latter, a hilarious take on the classic tale of mass hysteria, was picked up by the prestigious CBS Omnibus television program, which broadcast it in December 1953 with Jo Sullivan Loesser in the title role. Engvick also wrote lyrics for Omnibus’ American premiere of Sleeping Beauty in the Woods, with music by Ottorino Respighi. Together Engvick and Wilder contributed songs to a 1955 off-Broadway production of Once Over Lightly starring Zero Mostel.
At one point Engvick and Wilder were summoned to Hollywood to write songs for the film Daddy Long Legs, but after several months of work a regime change caused the material, which Wilder characterized as being “the very best set of songs we ever wrote,” to be shelved. One of the duo’s most far-reaching and beloved collaborations was on Lullabies and Night Songs, an entrancing book of children’s songs lavishly illustrated by Maurice Sendak and published on both sides of the Atlantic in the 1960s. Engvick edited the book and provided lyrics to several songs.
In 1990, Jackie and Roy dedicated their CD An Alec Wilder Collection to Engvick, calling him “a terrific, intuitive man with a kind heart, gentle soul and the gift of being able to fashion meaningful, poetic lyrics to lovely, though sometimes difficult, melodies.” Engvick cited Remember, My Child, written with Wilder for Jackie, as his favorite of the many songs he composed.
The only child of Clarence and Sadie Engvick, William Clark Engvick was born in Oakland, California on July 1, 1914. Growing up in the shadow of the construction of the huge, elegant Grand Lake Theatre, which he attended on opening day, proved to be a major influence on Bill's career path. He frequently attended performances by such favorite local, soon-to-be-national acts as Horace Heidt and his Musical Knights, and quickly developed a strong interest in music and theater. As a teen he created meticulously-detailed, scale models of the stages and prosceniums of all of Oakland's large theatres.
While a student at UC Berkeley, Bill achieved some noteriety with his madcap revue In Your Hat, for which he wore many hats, including writer, director, actor, piano player and composer of music. Later in life, moving back-and-forth between Oakland and New York, Engvick always kept one foot in the theater, his first love, writing skits, directing and acting in local productions by the Gaslight Troupers and Straw Hat Revue in the San Francisco Bay Area. In the late 1940s, Engvick briefly tried his hand at radio dramas, penning scripts for CBS’ The Whistler and Silver Theatre.
More recently, Engvick wrote songs with longtime friend and Broadway actor Gordon Connell, of Hello Dolly, Big River, and Julius Monk revue fame, and authored lyrics for several new songs based on melodies sourced from Wilder’s film music and ground-breaking Octets.
Active well into his 90s, Engvick famously advised that “if you can’t write a million-dollar song, write a million songs at a dollar a try.”
by Rob Geller
Libretto by Arnold Sundgaard, Music by Alec Wilder
Written in 1952
Performed May 16 & 17, 1963 in Dolton, Illinois at the Thornridge High School Spring Musicale
Chorus and Orchestra under the direction of John Pearce
Betty Smith as Dorie Davis, Paul Maddux as Johhny Dee
"The Lowland Sea was written as a remembering of the sea and sea songs - of dunes, of harbors, of voyaging, of loneliness, of waiting. It is hoped that it will seem familiar to anyone who has walked (or wanted to walk) the streets of Nantucket, or has waited for the evening mail boat at Ocracoke. Some of it was suggested by drawings and prints of ships like the Witch of the Waves out of Salem. Part of it comes from a nursery song, Bobby Shaftoe, which has been given a new musical setting for this occasion. The words for The Cuckoo are very old, but the music is new."
Happy Birthday Alec Wilder, who should have been 107 years old today!
All music and words by Alec Wilder unless otherwise indicated
Octets introduced by Mike McGinnis and played by the Four Bags
Such a Tender Night
Dance Man Buys a Farm
Little Girl Grows Up
Jack, This is My Husband
The Four Bags are Brian Drye trombone, Jacob Garchik accordion, Sean Moran guitar and Mike McGinnis clarinet
Popular songs by Hilary Kole piano and vocal with Gene Bertoncini guitar
While We're Young with Morty Palitz, words by Bill Engvick
Blackberry Winter words by Loonis McGlohon
The Lady Sings the Blues words by Engvick
Moon and Sand with Palitz words by Engvick
Such a Lonely Girl Am I
A Child is Born music by Thad Jones
I'll Be Around
Thanks to David Litofsky for the recording of Part 2
Pictured is the cover of Philip Lambert's outstanding book on the music of Alec Wilder, published in 2013 by University of Illinois Press. Buy a copy or two!
New York City April 14, 2013
Honorary Host and piano Aaron Gandy
All music by Alec Wilder and words by William Engvick, except as noted
Mimosa and Me
Song from Moulin Rouge (Where is Your Heart), music by Georges Auric
I See It Now
So Long to All That, from the unproduced musical Chance of a Ghost
'Tain't a Fit Night Out
The Long Way
Walking Home in Spring
It's a Fine Day for Walkin' Country Style
Singers include Juliette Trafton, Dewey Caddell, Merrill Grant, Chris Ware and Aaron Gandy, Dennis Michael Keefe upright bass
Vocalise #1 (1971), Small Suite (1960), Answer to a Poem (1979), Air for Flute (1945)
Paul Lustig Dunkel, flute, Barbara Lee, piano
Bill Engvick delivered this speech at the annual Alec Wilder Concert in New York on April 22, 2001
While We're Young performed by Melinda Dillon from the soundtrack to Staying Together, a Hemdale film, 1989
Pictured are Engvick and Wilder in Stony Point, NY, March 1952
Photo by Fran Miller
Happy Birthday Alec Wilder, who was born 106 years ago on February 16
Be sure to attend the 28th Annual Friends of Alec Wilder Concert on April 14, 2013 at 120 W. 69th Street, New York, at 3 p.m. Among those performing will be Hilary Kole, Aaron Gandy and the Four Bags. A Tribute to William Engvick is planned. See you there!
Words by Bill Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder
Performed by Mabel Mercer with Buddy Barnes, piano
From An Evening with Mabel Mercer and Bobby Short, broadcast on PBS Television December 1972
Thank you Mark Walter
See also wilderworld 68
Words by William Engvick (pictured), Music and Orchestration by Alec Wilder
Performed by Eileen Farrell with Mitch Miller conducting the CBS Symphony, August 29, 1946
My love took wings and flew away
In the morning
In the morning
Said "I'll be back on Saturday
In the morning"
He wore his suit with wings of gold
In the morning
In the morning
And three big coats for up there it's cold
In the morning
He made a joke like he always did
In the morning
In the morning
He kissed me and said "So long kid!"
In the morning
He took the stick and off he went
In the morning
In the morning
Looked as if he were heaven bent
In the morning
I thought I never saw the sky
In the morning
In the morning
Look so far and blue and high
In the morning
I went back to the house on Dover Street
In the morning
In the morning
And thoughts of him came sad and sweet:
Wore his suit with wings of gold
Three big coats, up there it's cold
Made a joke like he always did
Kissed me and said "So long kid!"
Took the stick and off he went
Looked as if he were heaven bent
Saturday I woke at five
In the morning
In the morning
Felt more dead than I felt alive
In the morning
I went down to the field where nothing grows
In the morning
In the morning
And people were saying "She already knows"
In the morning
I can never lift my eyes again
To see those Saturday skies again
In the morning
In the morning
Written in 1942
Rest in peace my dear friend Bill Engvick, who lived to see 98 years worth of mornings
Sonata No. 3 for Bassoon and Piano in Five Movements, played by Carl Rath, bassoon and Jeongwon Ham, piano
I Like It Here words by Bill Engvick, The Sounds Around the House words by Johnny Mercer, Photographs words by Fran Landesman, The Winter of My Discontent, Moon and Sand words by Engvick, Where Is the One? music by Eddie Finckel words by Alec Wilder, I See It Now words by Engvick, Blackberry Winter with Loonis McGlohon, Summer Is a-Comin' In words by Marshall Barer, I'll Be Around performed by Eric Comstock, vocals and piano, Barbara Fasano, vocals, Gene Bertoncini, guitar and Joe Wilder, trumpet
Pictured: Mr. and Mrs. Joe Wilder at the Concert
New York City April 15, 2012
All words and music by Alec Wilder unless otherwise indicated
Bob Levy introduces Honorary Guest Host Joe Wilder
If Someday Comes Ever Again words by Johnny Mercer, Ellen and Lovers and Losers words by Bill Engvick, arranged by Roger Wesby and performed by The Salvatones
Suite for Piano I Movement 3, Suite for Piano III Movement 3, Hardy Suite Movements 1 and 3, Suite for Piano II Movement 1, Un Deuxieme Essai Movements 1 and 6, Suite for Piano IV Movements 1 and 4, Sonata Fantasy Movements 2 and 4, performed by John Noel Roberts, piano (pictured)
Recording and photos by David Litofsky - Thanks!
All music by Alec Wilder except as indicated
Love Among the Young, Walk Pretty, Night Talk, Blue Fool, It's a Fine Day for Walking Country Style - John Carlson trumpet, John Dirac guitar, Douglas Yates bass clarinet
Photographs (words by Fran Landesman), Whistle Stop (music by Hugh Martin, developed by Alec Wilder), While We're Young (words by William Engvick, music by Alec Wilder and Morty Palitz), I'll Be Around (words and music by Alec Wilder) - Kathleen Landis vocal and piano, Bob Levy trumpet and MC (pictured)
April 10 in New York brought another rich and varied presentation of the extraordinary music of Alec Wilder
Air for Oboe and Strings oboe Rita Mitsel, piano Maria Dessena
When You Are Old (poem by W. B. Yeats), The Moon (Percy Bysshe Shelley), Suddenly (based upon the poem Everyone Sang by Siegfried Sassoon) vocal Carla Wesby, piano Barbara Lee
Sonata No. 1 for Tuba and Piano tuba Michael Salzman, piano Barbara Lee (pictured)
I Moderato
II Allegro
III Andante
IV Allegro
All music by Alec Wilder
Composed by Alec Wilder for a production of the play Pantagleize by Michel de Ghelderode at Jerome Hill's 3rd Annual Festival de Cassis in Cassis, France, August 1966
Performed by the New York Woodwind Quintet: Samuel Baron flute, Ronald Roseman oboe, Ralph Froelich french horn, David Glazer clarinet and Arthur Weisberg bassoon
Alec's notes to Jerome: “I wrote a suite keeping in mind your point of ‘les folies.’ Three of the four movements I and Sam [Baron] feel convey this spirit. The only problem will be the style of drumming in Bamboola’s song. It must be straight jazz. I wrote that song and the Lullaby in high keys in keeping with the indications in the play that both are sung in a high hysterical voice.
"Bamboola’s song is fiendishly difficult for one not familiar with scat singing. However strict adherence to the notes is not essential.
“The Lullaby, since the playwright indicates that Pantagleize should sing it in a high voice, is accompanied in a rather petulantly Poulenc fashion. I have, however, added a Glockenspiel two octaves above the voice so that the singer (actor) won’t have too much difficulty maintaining the melody (which is simple and which later is played simply). The soldier’s song is very simple. I picked a middle baritone range, figuring the average male voice would find it comfortable.
“The percussionist should bring the following instruments: Bass drum, Snare drum, Tenor drum, Glockenspiel, Suspended cymbal (large), A variety of mallets, Triangle. There might be a chime.”
All music by Alec Wilder
1 Song for Carol written 1968
2 Suite No 2 for Tuba and Piano (Jesse's Suite) 1964
3 Suite No 3 for Tuba and Piano (Little Harvey Suite) 1966
4 Suite No 4 for Tuba and Piano (Thomas Suite) 1968
5 Suite No 5 for Tuba and Piano (Ethan Ayer Suite) 1963
All Suites contain four movements
Harvey Phillips, tuba; Bernie Leighton, piano
From LP Harvey Phillips: Alec Wilder's Tribute to the Phillips family... (Golden Crest RE 7054)
R.I.P Harvey Phillips, a giant in the world of tuba and the world of Wilder
All words and music by Alec Wilder except as indicated
Milwaukee words by Marshall Barer, performed by Kitty Kallen (Mercury 5315 1949)
Walkin' Sad music by Loonis McGlohon, sung by Mark Murphy from LP Songs of Alec Wilder (JJA 19795 1979)
Walk Pretty words by Fran Landesman, performed by Jackie and Roy recorded in 1976 from CD Echoes (Jazzed Media 2007)
Will You Come for a Walk with Me? words by Marshall Barer, performed by Mike Stewart with Mitch Miller and Orchestra (Golden R-288 1956)
It's a Fine Day for Walkin' Country Style words by William Engvick, sung by Jo Sullivan and Jim Hawthorne from the CBS production of Miss Chicken Little broadcast December 27, 1953
Walk Softly performed by Mundell Lowe and his Orchestra from LP New Music of Alec Wilder (Riverside RLP 12-219 1956)
I'd Gladly Walk to Alaska words by Arnold Sundgaard, recorded in 1960, sung by Kathleen Murray from LP Kittiwake Island (Blue Pear 1003 1983)
aka Barbara
Composed by Alec Wilder
Performed by Mitch Miller on English Horn with Percy Faith and his Orchestra from the LP Music Till Midnight (Columbia CL 551)
wilderworld is saddened by the death last week of Mitch Miller at the great age of 99. No one was more important to the success of Alec Wilder than Mitch, who championed and sustained Alec and his music from day one
Words by Bill Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder
I See It Now, Ellen and I Like It Here sung by Jack Carroll
The April Age and The Lady Sings the Blues by Elaine Delmar from LP Elaine Sings Wilder (Columbia Records SX 6044 1966)
Lovers and Losers sung by Marlene VerPlanck
The full title of this LP, produced in a small quantity by The Richmond Organization, publishers of much of the music of Alec Wilder, is "Songs for Peggy Lee / Sinatra / Ella / Tony Bennett and singers like that..." Sinatra recorded I See It Now on the LP September of My Years (Reprise F-1014 1965), Tony Bennett has performed The Lady Sings the Blues
Happy 96th Birthday Bill Engvick!
Composed by Alec Wilder in 1979
Paul Lustig Dunkel flute, Stephen Hart clarinet, Harrison Hollingsworth bassoon
Another selection from the 25th Annual Friends of Alec Wilder Concert on April 11, 2010
Recorded by David Litofsky
Photo by Lou Ouzer
Libretto by Arnold Sundgaard, Music by Alec Wilder
Written in 1953
"Sunday Excursion has been written specifically as a companion piece for those operas, serious in tone but modest in length, which demand a curtain-raiser for their effective presentation. Serving, as it does, the function of welcoming the audience to the theater, it strives to achieve, through the character of its music and story, a lightness of touch and a friendliness of tone."
Performed April 11, 2010 at the 25th Annual Friends of Alec Wilder Concert by Aaron Gandy conductor, piano; Maria Dessena piano; David Auxier, Michael Batusic, Sara Delaney, Tessa Faye and Chris Vaughn vocals
Recorded by David Litofsky (thank you!)
Words and Music by Alec Wilder
Written in 1968
Sung by Marlene VerPlanck with the Loonis McGlohon Trio (see wilderworld 107) From LP JJA Presents the Music of Alec Wilder (JJA 19795B 1979)
Originally recorded for the American Popular Song radio program
Ms. VerPlanck (pictured above) will be the Host of the 25th annual Friends of Alec Wilder Concert in New York on Sunday, April 11 at 3 pm at the Christ and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 120 West 69th Street. This year's program will include performances of the Trio for Flute, Clarinet and Bassoon and the one-act opera Sunday Excursion. Tickets will be available at the door
Composed by Alec Wilder
From LP Barry Snyder Piano (Golden Crest RE-7058)
"Until Barry Snyder played the pieces he has recorded here, I had never heard them. I wrote them for a friend who though I'm sure was grateful and even enthusiastic about my having written them for her, never got around to performing them.
"A number of years have elapsed since I wrote them, along with perhaps thirty others. So by the time I finally heard them, I had concluded they were inadequate and unworthy of performance.
"I'm still uncertain of their validity but when I hear Mr. Snyder play them, he does so with such extraordinary tenderness, strength, acuity and maturity that at least while he is playing them I do believe in their validity.
"It is a great honor and I am particularly delighted that he has recorded these pieces. For now, when my self-confidence drops to a new low I can quickly put this record on and regain quite a bit of it."
Photo by Lou Ouzer
Happy 103rd Birthday Alec Wilder!!
Words by William Webster aka Marshall Barer, Music by Conrad Miller aka Alec Wilder
Issued as Columbia 39001
Recorded September 1950
The Reindeers' Dance Music by Alec Wilder (Golden LGR2B)
Pull Together Words by Marshall Barer, Music by Alec Wilder (Golden LGR3F)
Words by Alec Wilder, Music by Eddie Finckel
Recorded August 1946
"The pert rhythm harmonies of the De Marco Sisters spin out with much attraction for the tuneful riff rhythm ditty, Ready to Go Steady, with plenty of bounce quality to both the lyrical blend and the instrumental beat of the studio men, directed by Phil Davis." -Record Review, The Billboard, February 1, 1947
Composed by Alec Wilder
1st Moderate
2nd Song
3rd With Good Humor
4th Swing A Little
From Mirafone presents Deskants and Tubens, featuring Members of the Horn Club of Los Angeles (Mirafone SZB-3216 7" for demonstration only, excerpted from LP Angel S-36036) Conducted by Gunther Schuller
"Wilder's Nonet for Brass was composed in the spring, 1969. Direct and to the point, it readily invites listening of the most pleasurable kind. It has been described as a spectacular tour de force for the instruments, including two 'descant' (high F) horns, two normal French Horns, four Wagner Tubens and bass tuba"
Words by Edward Lear, Music by Alec Wilder
From LP Puff the magic dragon and Other Songs (Golden LP 149) Originally issued as Little Golden Record 25, featuring Anne Lloyd, Mitchell Miller and Orchestra
When visiting Children's Fairyland in Oakland, California, be sure to insert your Magic Key in the Storybook Box at the Owl and the Pussycat attraction to hear this recording of Alec Wilder's The Owl and the Pussycat
Pictured above: The Turkey who Lives on the Hill and friends
Words by Arnold Sundgaard, Music by Alec Wilder (see wilderworld 91)
From LP Chris Connor and Maynard Ferguson Two's Company (Roulette R-52068) Connor vocal, Ferguson trumpet
Recorded December 22, 1960
R.I.P. Chris Connor, the wonderful singer who died on August 28 at the age of 81. Ms. Connor also recorded masterful renditions of The Lady Sings the Blues (see wilderworld 70) and Trouble is a Man
Pictured above: Wilder writings found on the back of a folded up letter circa 1940s
Words and Music by Alec Wilder
Perhaps the only version of this oft-recorded song to include an opening verse (not composed by Wilder)
See wilderworld 73
“The Castaleers
*** I’ll Be Around – Felsted 8585 –
Okay reading of the old Mills Brothers hit.
Some coin possible. (Regent, BMI)”
-Billboard Reviews of New Pop Records, August 24, 1959
Elegie to a Pet Robin
Aire for Trumpet
Rock Without Rollin'
A Dream Takes Only a Minute
Written and scored by Alec Wilder
From LP Station Breaks (Golden Crest CR 3034), conducted by Jack Zimmermann
"Station Breaks--One Minute Spots--were planned originally as a professional music service to disk jockeys. All of the original compositions in this album are precisely 60 seconds in length. They were especially written to be used as musical 'fillers' when needed to complete a segment of air time on a radio program. There are times when even the most glib disk jockey finds himself at a loss for words and is delighted to be helped out by dependable compositions such as these."
From director Dick Phipps' Columbia, South Carolina lakeside living room it's Alec Wilder and Loonis McGlohon with another complete one hour episode of their great American Popular Song radio show!
This episode, number 21, originally aired on February 20, 1977 and features guest vocalist Carrie Smith
The Lady Sings the Blues written in 1956, Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder (see wilderworld 70)
Please note that although Loonis suggests - and Alec assents - that The Lady Sings the Blues was written "in honor of" Billie Holiday, Mr. Engvick has told wilderworld that the song "was completely made up and did not refer to her at all." Clearly the title was lifted from the famous biography of Ms. Holiday (as confirmed by Alec) but according to Engvick: "I didn't know that singer [Holiday] was called 'Lady,' and it was not about her because I never listened to her!"
wilderworld extends the Happiest of Birthday greetings to Bill Engvick, master of the "singing line," who today is 95 years young
Words by Ben Ross Berenberg, Music by Alec Wilder
This wilderworld episode is dedicated to the memory of Louis "Looey" Geller July 15, 1955 - June 13, 2009
Composed by Alec Wilder in 1958
From notes by Samuel Baron: "Quintet No. 3 is...energetic and angular in its outer movements but it has a characteristic Wilder tenderness in the second movement and characteristic Wilder whimsy in the Scherzo. The original meaning of Scherzo is 'joke' and this particular Scherzo has a joke within a joke. I refer to the section in the middle where the tempo suddenly doubles and assumes a rakish, strutting gait, not a little Chaplinesque. Towards the end of the third movement and in the fourth movement again, there appears a thematic phenomenon not usually associated with the style of Alec Wilder - a twelve-tone row! Dodecaphonic musicologists give careful attention!"
This year’s concert in New York was yet another rich and moving presentation of the varied musical talents of Alec Wilder. Here are some highlights from an afternoon of wondrous performances
All words and music by Alec Wilder except as noted
Movements I, III and IV from Suite No. 2 for Tenor Saxophone and Strings (for Zoot Sims 1966) and Movement III from Suite No. 1 for Tenor Saxophone and Strings (for Stan Getz) [see wilderworld 88] David Demsey saxophone, Billy Test piano
Evening Song (Soft Through the Woodland) from Hansel and Gretel; words by William Engvick; Kristin Parker and Adrian Li Donni vocals, Aaron Gandy piano
Nothing is Working Quite Right from Kittiwake Island [see wilderworld 80] words by Arnold Sundgaard; David Auxier, Michelle McConnell and Duane McDevitt vocals, Aaron Gandy piano, Mike McGinnis clarinet
Listen to Your Heart words by Engvick, Douglas Mountain words by Sundgaard; Mike McGinnis clarinet, Mike Fahn trombone, Sean Moran guitar
I'll Be Around singalong led by Jackie Cain, piano by Maria Dessena (pictured above)
The host was John Biderman. Thank you Tom Hampson, Judy Bell and all the Friends of Alec Wilder for continuing to produce these nourishing shows year after year
Alec Lives!
Composed by Alec Wilder
Paul Brodie saxophone, James Campbell clarinet
Transcribed from Suite for Two Clarinets written in 1976
From LP Paul Brodie and Camerata (Golden Crest CRS 4194) Fibre Sculpture "Enchanted Forest" by Rima Brodie
Recorded April 1980
"This suite exploits some of the similarities and differences between the sonorities of the clarinet and saxophone, heard separately and together. The first and second movements are in 4/4 time, the third movement is in 5/8, 3/4 and 7/8 time and is marked 'Freely'. The fourth movement is in a slow 3/4 time and the fifth and sixth movements are in 6/8 time"
Don't miss the 24th annual Alec Wilder Concert in New York City coming up on Saturday, April 4th, 3:00 p.m. at St. Peter's Church, 54th and Lexington. Among the performances will be saxophonist and author David Demsey playing Wilder's Suite No. 1 for Tenor Saxophone, aka Three Ballads for Stan (Getz) (see wilderworld 88) Tickets available at the door. See you there!
Words by Marshall Barer, Music by Alec Wilder
Written in 1955
From LP Bernie Knee (Audiophile AP-144) Knee vocal, Loonis McGlohon piano, Terry Lassiter bass and Jim Lackey drums. Recorded November 1977 for the American Popular Song radio program
"Absolutely marvelous, all of you!" - Alec Wilder
Happy 102nd Birthday Alec!!
All words and music by Alec Wilder except as indicated
Tacet for Neurotics from LP New Music of Alec Wilder (Riverside RLP 12-219 1956) [for complete track see wilderworld 36]
Air for Clarinet from LP The New York Woodwind Quintet Plays Alec Wilder (Golden Crest CR 3019 1957)
Animals of Farmer Jones (Golden 13A 1948) Words by Jane Werner
Air for English Horn from LP Frank Sinatra Conducts the Music of Alec Wilder (Columbia ML 4271 1950)
1 Dans Quixotic, 2 Slow and Sweet, 3 Song movements of Suite for Horn and Piano from LP John Barrows and his French Horn (Golden Crest RE 7002 1960) [see wilderworld 47]
Christmas & Sugaring Off from 10" LP The Grandma Moses Suite (Columbia ML 2185 1951) Developed and orchestrated by Alec Wilder from the musical score by Hugh Martin
Did You Ever Cross Over to Sneden's from LP Shannon Bolin Songs for Patricia (Riverside RLP 12-805 1957)
Lonely Seascape, Incantation & Finale from LP Music from The Sand Castle (Columbia CL 1455 1961)
Love Among the Young from LP Jennie Young Love Among the Young (Columbia CL 1242 1959) Words by Norman Gimbel
A Personality Portrait of Alec Wilder was written and produced by Loonis McGlohon for WBT Radio in Charlotte, North Carolina
The first of many collaborations between Wilder and McGlohon, who was Musical Director at WBT for several years.
All words and music by Alec Wilder except as noted
I’ll Be Around from LP Percy Faith and Mitch Miller It’s So Peaceful in the Country (Columbia CL 779 1956) [see wilderworld 73]
Seldom the Sun by the Alec Wilder Octet (Columbia 35648 1940) Recorded July 1940 [same personnel as wilderworld 09]
Tuba Showpiece aka Movement III of Suite No. 1 for Brass Quintet from LP New York Brass Quintet Presents Two Contemporary Composers (Golden Crest 4017 1959)
The Happy Man and His Dump Truck (Golden Records R54 1950) Words by Marshall Barer
Air for Oboe from LP Frank Sinatra Conducts the Music of Alec Wilder (Columbia ML 4271 1950) Recorded December 5, 1945 [see wilderworld 39]
Mama Never Dug This Scene from LP Mundell Lowe and his Orchestra New Music of Alec Wilder (Riverside RLP 12-219 1956)
While We’re Young by Peggy Lee and Dave Barbour (Capitol 1683 1949) Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder and Morty Palitz [see wilderworld 50]
Trouble is a Man by Sarah Vaughan with the Ted Dale Orchestra (Musicraft 533 1947) [see wilderworld 60]
Definition from LP Shannon Bolin Songs for Patricia (Riverside RLP 12-805 1957) Words by William Engvick
Where Is the One? from LP Frank Sinatra Where Are You? (Capitol W 855 1957) Words by Alec Wilder, Music by Eddie Finckel; Recorded April 10, 1957 [see wilderworld 126]
Photo is of Alec and Loonis at Freedom Park in Charlotte in the early 1960s during filming of a television program with the Newcomers student singing group
"Alec Wilder gives us short, pleasant to listen to pieces which amount to three songs and a march"
Written in 1962
Burt Hardin, professor of Horn at Eastern Illinois University, plays all four parts with the aid of modern multi-track recording technology. "If I have any recommendation for anyone contemplating such a project, it is to hire a recording studio and three other horn players. It is much easier in the long run!"
Two examples of Alec Wilder songs rewritten to make them more appealing to children
Kalamazoo to Timbuktu (see wilderworld 38) from Songs of Travel (Golden Record Library RL 9911 1959)
Song of the Sparrow (Golden R343 1956); see wilderworld 48
Words by Fred Hellerman, Music by Alec Wilder
From LP An Evening with Carol Lawrence (Cameo C-1077)
Written in 1953
wilderworld recently asked Mr. Hellerman, one of The Weavers of folk legend, about how his unlikely collaboration with Alec on Summer Rain came about:
“Summer Rain has the distinction of being the only song I ever wrote for which I didn't write the music. It's nowhere near being a ‘folky’ type song, but was written as a pop ballad. It came about, oddly enough, when I had read the comments at the graveside of the Rosenbergs by their lawyer, who hoped that the ‘summer rains fall gently on this spot.’ I was very moved by it and wrote a pop lyric around it.
“I gave it to my then-publisher who left it lying around on his desk. Alec Wilder happened to see it, loved it and asked if he could write some music to it. Being a fan of Alec's, I was terribly flattered and excited at the prospect.
“It's hard for me to say what I felt about what he did. As I said, I never before had anybody else write music for a lyric of mine and so I was quite taken aback by it, inasmuch as it was so far from anything I had imagined. But then again, I had absolutely no experience hearing what music someone else might write to a song of mine. I'm not sure what it is that I had in mind, but this was quite different. Not bad, but different.
“In any case, nothing ever happened with it. There was one record of it by Carol Lawrence on some cockamaymee record label. I think it may have sold less than 10 records and then zoomed into oblivion.
“I never knew Alec. I had casually met him several times but never got to know him, so I had to settle for admiring him from afar. But I'm certainly glad to have my name associated with him albeit in some small way.”
Music by Alec Wilder
From LP Presenting Robert Farnon (London LL 812); Denny Vaughan, piano, with Robert Farnon and his orchestra
Recorded January 27, 1950
aka From Dawn to Dusk
Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder
Written in 1952
From LP Morgana King Winter of My Discontent (Ascot AM 13014) (see wilderworld 11)
Clipping from Down Beat Magazine August 13, 1947
HAPPY BIRTHDAY BILL ENGVICK!! Well and writing at age 94
The second of two live NBC television productions to feature music by Alec Wilder aired on Sunday April 27, 1958 (see wilderworld 111)
Words by William Engvick
The Hansel and Gretel Song (Much Too Happy Dancing), Market Today, Men Run the World, Evening Song (Soft Through the Woodland), Morning Song, Eenie Meenie Miney Moe, What are Little Girls Made Of?, Finale
From LP Hansel and Gretel (MGM E3690). Performed by Red Buttons, Barbara Cook, Rudy Vallee, Stubby Kaye and Paula Lawrence
Words by Lee Kuhn, Music by Alec Wilder
Written in 1947
Sung by Lee Kuhn, piano player unknown
Yes, it's spring, so it must be time for the annual Friends of Alec Wilder Concert! If you're in the New York area, don't miss the 23rd annual concert this Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 3:00 pm. at St. Peter's Church, 54th Street and Lexington Avenue in New York City. Each year's concert features a wonderful array of artists presenting a wide variety of Alec Wilder material. Highlights from this year's program include a performance of the rarely heard "Trio for Violin, Cello and Piano" and a group led by Mike McGinnis playing "chamber jazz improvisations on popular songs." Tickets are available at the door. Be there!
Movement One
Movement Two
Movement Three
Movement Four
Movement Five
Written in 1960
From LP The Compositions of Alec Wilder (Golden Crest ATH-5070); Performed by the University of South Florida Wind Ensemble, guest conducted by Frederick Fennell
Photo by Lou Ouzer of Alec Wilder with the steel I-beam played in Movement Five of the premiere performance of Entertainment No. 1 in Rochester on May 1, 1961. Wilder's use of the I-beam was in response to a reviewer's criticism that he couldn't write "loud"
Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder and Bert Reisfeld based on a melody from the third, Nocturne movement of the String Quartet in D by Alexander Borodin
Recorded April 15, 1946
Words by Alec Wilder, Music by Eddie Finckel
Decca 24558
Dick Haymes with orchestra conducted by Gordon Jenkins
Recorded December 21, 1947
Words by Judy Holliday, Music by Alec Wilder
Written in 1976
From LP Mark Murphy Satisfaction Guaranteed (Muse MR 5215)
Photo by Lou Ouzer
HAPPY 101st BIRTHDAY ALEC WILDER!!
In four movements
= 86
= 104
= 60
= 112
From LP Music for Trumpet (Golden Crest RE 7045); Robert Levy trumpet, Amy Lou Levy piano
Written in 1967
wilderworld recently asked Bob Levy about the Suite for Trumpet and Piano and its recording:
WW: How did the Suite for Trumpet and Piano come about?
BL: Forty years ago, when I was a kid of 24, I asked Alec if he would be willing to write a trumpet piano work for me. The result was the four movement Suite. He was very quick to do it and I was thrilled. It was the first piece he wrote for me.
WW: You’ve performed a lot of Alec’s music over the years. How does the Suite compare to other pieces you’ve played?
BL: I think the piece is very much like much of his chamber music. It is highly melodic, angular in nature with its large intervalic leaps, and leaves phrasing largely up to the performer. As with most of his works, the performer must bring more of themselves to fostering a "point of view" in terms of shaping the music. That's the essential thing with Alec's music in my opinion.
WW: What about the Suite to you seems written for Bob Levy?
BL: Perhaps the 3rd movement has had a special sense of having been written for me as it is quite bluesy in nature. Alec knew of my love for jazz and that may have influenced him. Years later I asked him about possibly setting a lyric to the rather haunting melody it has, but its range and form made it less accessible.
WW: Who is Amy Lou Levy?
BL: She's my ex-wife.
WW: Was Alec present for the recording?
BL: Yes, Alec was there at the recording session and actually attended all subsequent recording sessions I did of his music from 1974-1980 (see wilderworld 75). He was most enthusiastic and supportive. Often, when composers attend dress rehearsals or recording sessions the performers can become quite nervous and it's easy to lose concentration, especially if they are continually offering suggestions. Alec always just seemed pleased you were recording his music and his comments were always encouraging. I remember, with recording one of his brass quintets, when after a “take" we all were a bit agitated and wanted to immediately do another, better one. Alec came running in from the recording booth and told us, “That's it; that's the one! Don't you even consider doing another one!"
Composed and orchestrated by Alec Wilder
From the 1960 film The Sand Castle, produced and directed by Jerome Hill
LP The Sand Castle (Columbia CS 8249); Orchestra conducted by Samuel Baron
Ragtime Music, with the addition of newly-composed words by William Engvick, was recently published as the song Jam! in The Alec Wilder Song Collection Centennial Edition (see wilderworld 114)
Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder
Performed by the Four Vagabonds (Standard X-134)
"'The Amorous Poltergeist' describes the mood of a playful ghost - an 'innocuous phantasm' - who haunts in a 'harmless, flippant fashion' - and who, having fallen in love, feels the futility of his ectoplasmic state, and the realization that his love can never be consummated."
Words by Arnold Sundgaard, Music by Alec Wilder
Written in 1954
From LP Tom Kennedy On His Way (Golden Crest CR 3011)
First Movement
Second Movement
Third Movement
Fourth Movement
Written in 1961
David Soyer cello, Harriet Wingreen piano
From LP Golden Crest RE 7009
Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder
The music was originally composed as Slow Waltz, or Sand Castle Waltz, for Jerome Hill's 1960 film The Sand Castle. It was used during the color dream sequence in the film, but was not included on the soundtrack LP, and lay dormant until words were added in 2005
Jimmy Bennett vocal, Dorothy Martin piano from the Friends of Alec Wilder Concert in New York on March 11, 2006
Dear World has just been published - along with three other freshly-minted Wilder-Engvick collaborations - for the first time in The Richmond Organization's brand new The Alec Wilder Song Collection Centennial Edition (pictured above), now available from Hal Leonard
Today marks one year since the launching of wilderworld, 100 records in 100 days to celebrate 100 years of Alec Wilder. So far over 21,000 visitors, from Denver to Beijing to Haifa to Caracas to Zagreb to just about everywhere, have stopped in to check out some of the most witty, poignant and profound music ever composed and committed to vinyl (or shellac). Thank you all! Special thanks to those who have contributed (sometimes unknowingly) to this podcast, thus furthering the noble cause of quality in a world that often has difficulty recognizing it
Alec Lives!! (see wilderworld 103)
On October 13, 1957 - 50 years ago today - NBC aired a live, nationally-televised production of Pinocchio featuring music composed by Alec Wilder. It is widely considered one of the classics from "the Golden Age of Television"
wilderworld recently asked Pinocchio lyricist William Engvick to share his recollections of the production. Here is some of what he related:
“I thought it was pretty good. The night of the broadcast I was in the studio. I watched it from a room - I wasn’t with the players. Mickey Rooney was friendly and nice. I can’t remember if Alec was there. Even if he was, he always pretended he wasn’t. They had never done it live before, and it had to be perfect because you couldn’t edit like you can today. There were a number of rehearsals of which I attended a few.
“It might have been a more pleasant experience were it not for the 'producer' [and scriptwriter], a terrible guy named Yasha Frank who resented us because he wanted to do it all himself. He’d been successful with Pinocchio in WPA days. The real producer was David Susskind of Talent Associates. He was a nice guy. He liked us. He also hired us for Hansel and Gretel [broadcast in April of 1958].
"I worked on Pinocchio from July to September. The Lullaby was something Alec and I had written a while before called Simple As ABC. I thought it would work in the show, suggested it and changed the words. Alec wrote all the music very quickly. It takes me longer to write, so Alec took off for Rochester - or wherever - and left me alone with these monsters! I felt like I was doing all the work. Sometimes he’d never say where he was. I think it was a real weakness of his: he simply couldn’t be tied down to anything, or own anything. Except for books. Bookstore owners loved Alec. He bought loads of books and gave most of them away.
“After Hansel and Gretel, Alec and I decided not to do anymore. We were offered a third program [Hiawatha] but turned it down. The drug company [Rexall] that sponsored them pulled out. Yasha Frank killed himself shortly after that. Several years later his son called me for permission to produce Pinocchio again. I said that would be fine, but nothing came of it.
“That was a long time ago. It’s all part of a dream.”
A video or DVD of the Pinocchio broadcast has never been released commercially, although a kinescope copy of it exists at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Listen to Your Heart, Happy News, Pinocchio's Song, Lullaby, The Fox's Pitch, The Jolly Coachman, The Birthday Song from LP Pinocchio (Columbia CL 1055); Sung by Fran Allison, Stubby Kaye, Mickey Rooney, Gordon B. Clarke, Martyn Green, Jerry Colonna and chorus
It's So Peaceful in the Country words and music by Alec Wilder (see wilderworld 15)
by the Delta Rhythm Boys (1941), Creed Taylor Orchestra from LP Shock Music in Hi-Fi (ABC Paramount ABCS-259 1958), Tak Shindo from LP Accent on Bamboo (Capitol ST-1433 1960) and Bill Mays from Alec Wilder Centennial Concert in New York April 29, 2007
Poor Mr. Flibberty-Jib words by Marshall Barer, music by Wilder; Anne Lloyd, Gilbert Mack, Dick Byron, The Sandpipers, Mitchell Miller and Orchestra (Golden Records R53A 1951)
A Month in the Country words by William Engvick, music by Wilder; Frank Baker vocal, Walter Gross piano (1939)
I'm Headin' West (For a Rest) words by Barer, music by Wilder; Dick Jurgens and his Orchestra (Columbia 1-628 1950)
Picture above is an excerpt from Alec Wilder's June 12, 1959 appearance before the House Judiciary Committee in Washington, D.C. where he spoke in favor of repealing the performance royalty fee exemption enjoyed by jukebox operators
On August 3 the majestic Harold Washington Library was the site of a marvelous tribute to the music and words of Alec Wilder. The brainchild of Chicago native Richard Wyszynski, conductor and friend of Wilder, the free concert featured orchestral pieces, selections from the Lullabies and Night Songs (see wilderworld 96) and a few Octets. Here are some highlights of that afternoon
All music by Alec Wilder
Air for English Horn (1945) was transcribed for and performed on clarinet by Gail Schechter, with the Cardinal Chamber Orchestra
Star Wish (words traditional), The Answers (words by Robert Clairmont), The Journey (words by William Engvick), and The Cottager to Her Infant (words by Dorothy Wordsworth) feature Alyssa Bennett vocal and Lisa Pustina piano; excerpts from Wilder’s Clues to a Life: Letters I Never Sent read by Wyszynski
The Children Met the Train written in 1940
While in Chicago be sure to visit the Alec Wilder display on the 8th floor of the Harold Washington Library through October 31 (pictured above)
Many are familiar with I Wish I Had the Blues Again, the Alec Wilder-Loonis McGlohon song written in 1978 and memorably performed by Marlene VerPlanck. Fewer are aware that 30 years earlier Alec co-wrote a completely different song with the same title: I Wish I Had the Blues Again. With music by Eddie Finckel (see wilderworld 13), it was recorded by Nat King Cole and his trio on November 29, 1947 but rejected by Capitol Records. Alec, not one to let a good idea go to waste, scavenged the title and a line or two
From Nat King Cole 1947-1949 (Classics 1155 2000) Cole (piano), Irving Ashby (guitar), Johnny Miller (bass)
From LP Marlene VerPlanck Sings Alec Wilder (Audiophile AP 218) Loonis McGlohon (piano), Rick Petrone (bass), Mel Lewis (drums) Recorded March 1986
“Beguiner’s Luck is a seldom-heard composition from the pen of Alec Wilder. An exciting beguine strongly flavored by the incessant rhythmic sounds of the bongo drums with bass figures predominant in the low-pitched marimbas of the ensemble. An excellent yardstick to guage the low frequency response of any high fidelity system.”
From LP Leo Arnaud and His Orchestra Spectra-Sonic-Sounds!! (Liberty LRP 3009)
Recorded January 1955
Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder. The first song they wrote together (see wilderworld 20)
Recorded August 20, 1941
Who Can I Turn To? by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra with Jo Stafford on vocals (Victor 27701, September 18, 1941)
Hold On by Mildred Bailey and the Alec Wilder Octet (Columbia 35348, November 3, 1939)
Nostalgia was later re-arranged for woodwinds and recorded by the Alec Wilder Octet as Remember Me to Youth (see wilderworld 59). From the Mildred Bailey Show CBS radio broadcast of December 5, 1944
The Alec Wilder Centennial Concert in New York on April 29 was a phenomenal event. One highlight was the world premiere of this great song from the long-dormant unused score for the film Daddy Long Legs
Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder
Written in 1953
Thrillingly performed by Lily DePaula vocal and Aaron Gandy piano
We're back!
And now...From the Columbia, South Carolina lakeside living room of Mr. Dick Phipps,
it's Alec Wilder and Loonis McGlohon with a complete one hour episode of their great American Popular Song radio show! This episode, number 9, was recorded in March 1976, aired on November 28, 1976 and features guest vocalist Teddi King (photo left)
See wilderworld 40 for more about the American Popular Song radio series
It’s So Peaceful in the Country words and music by Alec Wilder (see wilderworld 15)
Many of the performances aired on American Popular Song were later released commercially on Audiophile Records; recordings from this episode can be found on Teddi King’s Lovers and Losers and Someone to Light Up Your Life LPs (AP 117 and AP 150 1976). With the exception of a generous excerpt featured on Thelma Carpenter’s A Souvenir CD (Audiophile ACD-111 1997), episodes of American Popular Song are not available. If you feel they should be, call the folks at NPR and request they blow the dust off a few reels of this superb, illuminating radio program
wilderworld would like to give a huge thank you to everyone who has offered kind words about and contributions to this website, and to all who have stopped by to sample the brilliant music of Alec Wilder. Please feel free to leave comments
To learn more, visit alecwildercentennial dot com and alecwilder dot org
100 years of obscurity is enough!!
Lovers and Losers words by William Engvick, music by Alec Wilder; written in 1968
Blackberry Winter by Alec Wilder and Loonis McGlohon (see wilderworld 72)
Words by Alec Wilder, Music by Thad Jones
Written in 1969
From LP Free Design There is a Song (Light In The Attic 015 2005, originally released as Ambrotype 1016)
HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY ALEC WILDER!!
While We're Young (Sam Hamilton piano), Did You Ever Cross Over to Snedens? and Goodbye John (Cy Walter and Stan Freeman twin pianos) from LP The Art of Mabel Mercer (Atlantic 2-602 1965)
Did You Ever Cross Over to Snedens? written in 1947
I'll Be Around from LP Frank Sinatra In the Wee Small Hours (Capitol W-581 1955)
Originally aired October 24, 1965
Words by Loonis McGlohon, Music by Alec Wilder
Written in 1980
One of the last two songs composed by Alec Wilder, commissioned by Frank Sinatra for his LP She Shot Me Down (Reprise FS 2305)
Arranged and conducted by Gordon Jenkins
Recorded July 21, 1981
Words by Rudyard Kipling, Music by Alec Wilder
Written in 1965
Jan DeGaetani vocal; Gretchen Van Hoesen harp; orchestrated and conducted by Rayburn Wright
From LP Lullabies and Night Songs (Caedmon TC 1777)
Illustration by Maurice Sendak from the book
Words by Johnny Mercer, Music by Alec Wilder
Written in 1976
From LP Dick Haymes For You, For Me, For Evermore (Audiophile AP 130)
Loonis McGlohon piano; Terry Lassiter bass; Jim Lackey drums
Recorded December 1976 for the American Popular Song radio program (see wilderworld 40)
Composed by Alec Wilder
aka Suite No. 1 for Tuba and Piano
Written in 1959 for a children's album which would depict six imaginary experiences of an elephant named Effie
- Effie Chases a Monkey; 2. Effie Falls in Love; 3. Effie Takes a Dancing Lesson; 4. Effie Joins the Carnival; 5. Effie Goes Folk Dancing; 6. Effie Sings a Lullaby
Harvey Phillips tuba; Arthur Harris piano; Bradley Spinney drums and xylophone
LP Golden Crest RE-7054
Story and Words by Ben Ross Berenberg, Music by Alec Wilder
Written in 1946
Ray Bolger as The Churkendoose; Orchestra conducted by Mitchell Miller
Decca CU 103
Words by Arnold Sundgaard; Music by Alec Wilder
Written in 1948
From the musical play Western Star
From LP Songs for Patricia and other Music of Alec Wilder (Riverside RLP 12-805); Shannon Bolin vocal; Milton Kaye piano
Words by Jeremy Stephen aka Arnold Sundgaard
Music by Alec Wilder, derived from Lorena by Joseph Philbrick Webster
From EP Songs of the South
Written in 1963
Recorded August 2, 1966
aka Suite No. 1 for Tenor Saxophone and Strings
Words by William Engvick; Music by Alec Wilder
Written in 1941
From LP The Heart and Soul of Joe Williams and George Shearing (Sheba ST 102)
Williams vocals; Shearing piano; Andy Simpkins bass; Stix Hooper drums
Recorded March 1971
In six movements
Written in 1977
Virginia Nanzetta flute; Gordon Stout marimba
From LP Alec Wilder's Music for Marimba with Other Instruments (Golden Crest CRS-4190)
Words by Loonis McGlohon, Music by Alec Wilder
Written in 1976
Cleo Laine vocal, Dudley Moore piano, Ray Brown bass, Nick Ceroli drums
English words by Alec Wilder; Music by Gino Paoli
Written in 1961
From LP Peggy Lee In the Name of Love (Capitol T-2096)
Composed by Alec Wilder
Recorded December 28, 1939
Alec Wilder Octet as on wilderworld 09
Columbia 36188
Words by Arnold Sundgaard; Music by Alec Wilder
Written in 1953
Sung by Kathleen Murray and Joe Lautner; from the musical Kittiwake Island, which ran for seven performances from October 12 through October 16, 1960 at the off-Broadway Martinique Theatre
LP Blue Pear BP 1003 1983
Words, Music and Arranged by Alec Wilder
Frank Sinatra with Orchestra conducted by Mitch Miller
Originally released on Columbia 38809 1950
Recorded November 15, 1945
Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder
Recorded November 1953
Columbia 40280
See wilderworld 03
I. Insistently
II. Nice and easy does it
III. With a sense of profound loss
IV. Jazz style
V. Get out of my way!
Tidewater Brass Quintet: Chris Gekker trumpet; Martin Hackleman horn; Gary Maske tuba; Michael Powell trombone; Robert Levy trumpet
From LP Tidewater Brass Quintet IV (Golden Crest CRS 4205)
Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder
Although the label suggests otherwise, this song is from the CBS-TV Front Row Center Production "The Human Touch" which aired April 15, 1956 and starred Lisa Kirk as a successful singer in a New York night club who is torn between her career and her principles
Words and Music by Alec Wilder
Written in 1942
From LP Billie Holiday Lady in Satin (Columbia CL 1157)
Recorded February 19, 1958
Written in 1976
Keith Jarrett piano; Charlie Haden bass; Paul Motian drums
From LP Best of Keith Jarrett (ABC Impulse IA-9348 1978)
Recorded February 1977
Words by William Engvick
Written in 1956
From LP Chris Connor Witchcraft (Atlantic 8032)
Recorded October 5, 1959
Words and piano by Loonis McGlohon, Music by Alec Wilder
Written in 1980
From LP Eileen Farrell sings Alec Wilder (Reference Recordings RR-36)
Music by Clarence Profit and Alec Wilder
From LP The Complete Clarence Profit (Meritt 15 1981)
Words by Marshall Barer; Music by Alec Wilder
Little Golden Record 546
Herman Ermine in Rabbit Town can be listened to at www dot kiddierecords dot com/archive/week_25 dot htm
Recorded in New York City January 23, 1961
Orchestra conducted by Samuel Baron and including: Dave Soyer, Charles McCracken, Sterling Hunkins cellos; Urbie Green, Merv Gold, Dick Hixon trombones; John Barrows, James Buffington, Earl Chapin French horns; Joe Wilder trumpet; Charles Russo clarinet; Jerome Roth oboe; Don Hammond flute; Arthur Weisberg bassoon; Bernie Leighton piano; Milt Hinton bass; Sol Gubin drums
"In scoring Since LIFE Began Wilder restates, in musical terms of the present, the pace and moods of the era since LIFE's beginning in 1936. Here is a score that not only adds rich dimension to the visual story as it unfolds but provides fuller meaning for the narrative as well.
This work displays the best of Wilder talents - melodic brilliance and virtuosity in orchestrations; evocative passages combining the dissonance of modern serious music with the fresh, uninhibited, swinging sounds of jazz; and respect for the individual art of the musician."
Words and Music by Alec Wilder
Written in 1944
Recorded March 1958
From LP Judy Holliday Trouble Is a Man (Columbia CL 1153)
Written and recorded in 1947
Alec Wilder Octet: Jimmy Carroll clarinet; Mitchell Miller oboe and English horn; Eddie Powell flute; Harold Goltzer bassoon; Reggie Merrill bass clarinet; Dick Wolff harpsichord; Frank Carroll bass; Gary Gillis drums
Words by William Engvick
Written in 1964 for the film Open the Door (And See All the People) by Jerome Hill
From LP Jackie and Roy Lovesick (Verve V6-8688)
I. Slow (Recitatif)
II. Bright, And Lyrical
III. Slow (Soliloquy)
IV. Rhythmic (Duologue)
Written in 1963 for Joe Wilder (no relation)
Words by Rogers Brackett, Music by Alec Wilder
Written in 1976
From LP Mabel Mercer Echoes of My Life (Audiophile AP 161/162)
Words by William Engvick; Music by Alec Wilder and Morty Palitz
Written in 1941
Recorded April 1950
Composed by Alec Wilder
Recorded June 13, 1939
Alec Wilder Octet as on wilderworld 01
From LP Columbia Nonbreakable ML 4271 1950
Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder
Pinocchio aired Sunday, October 13, 1957 on NBC television
Written and Narrated by Alec Wilder
Recorded May 1969
The text is derived from essays written by the children of Avon, New York
Performed by the Eastman Children's Chorus and 20 members of the Eastman Wind Ensemble, conducted by Milford Fargo
LP Turnabout TV-S 34413
Alec Wilder died on this date in 1980
Words by William Engvick; Music by Alec Wilder and Morty Palitz
Written in 1943
Recorded May 31, 1951
Words by William Engvick; Music by Alec Wilder and Jack Jenney
Recorded December 6, 1939
Jenney is best known for his trombone solo on Stardust by Artie Shaw
Columbia 10" Lp issued 1951
Words by Alec Wilder, Music by Miller and Miller
Written in 1954
A Man's World originally aired October 1, 1956 on CBS television
Words by Marshall Barer
Recorded October 1951
From LP Louis Prima and Keely Smith Breaking It Up (Columbia CL 1206 1958)
Words by Berenberg
Piano by Milton Kaye, husband of Shannon Bolin. Kaye died on August 14 at age 97 - R.I.P.
Words by Loonis McGlohon, Music by Alec Wilder
Written in 1970
The theme of Wilder and McGlohon's American Popular Song series which ran on National Public Radio for 38 episodes between October 3, 1976 and March 30, 1980
Performed by Ed Montiero with the regular American Popular Song backing combo of McGlohon piano, Terry Lassiter bass and Jim Lackey drums. From LP The Songs of Alec Wilder (Box Office JJA 19795 1979)
Composed by Alec Wilder
With the Columbia String Orchestra and Woodwind Octet with harpsichord
Recorded December 10, 1945
Words by Marshall Barer and Margaret Wise Brown, Music by Alec Wilder
Recorded December 1951
Music by Alec Wilder
Recorded June 12, 1956
From LP New Music of Alec Wilder (Riverside RLP 12-219)
Mundell Lowe and his Orchestra: Joe Wilder (tp) John Barrows, Jim Buffington (frh) Don Hammond (fl) Jerry Roth (ob) Bernard Garfield (basn) Jimmy Carroll (cl, bcl) Mundell Lowe (g) Trigger Alpert (b) Ed Shaughnessy (d)
Words and Music by Alec Wilder
Recorded June 11, 1941
LP is a 1959 reissue of GL 523, originally issued in 1953
Words by Fran Landesman
From Anthony Newley Tony LP (London LL 3252)
Photograph is of Newley
Words by Marshall Barer
Musical direction and oboe solo by Mitchell Miller with the Golden Symphony Orchestra and Sandpiper Chorus
From A Child's Introduction to the Orchestra and All Its Instruments (Golden GRC1-LP)
Written in 1954
Played by the New York Woodwind Quintet (see wilderworld 17)
From LP Golden Crest CR 3026
Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder
J. Carroll is Jimmy Carroll
Recorded June 1952
Words by Alec Wilder; Music with Loonis McGlohon
Written in 1977
From Meredith D'Ambrosio Another Time LP (Sunnyside SSC 1017)
Photograph by Louis Ouzer
Words by Jack Lawrence, Music by Alec Wilder
T. Ravenscroft is Thurl Ravenscroft, best known as the commercial voice of Tony the Tiger
Recorded December 1951
Words and Music by Bernie Hanighen and Alec Wilder
Written in 1949
Recorded late 1958
Marcus Belgrave (tp) Zoot Sims (ts) Roland Alexander (ts, fl) Teddy Charles (vib) Mal Waldron (p) Kenny Burrell (g) Addison Farmer, Eustis Guillemet (b) Charlie Persip, Ed Shaughnessy (d) Betty Blake (vo)
LP Bethlehem BCP 6058
Words by Marshall Barer
Written in 1952
Recorded December 9, 1957
From Cleo Laine Cleo's Choice LP (Quintessence QJ-25401 1980)
Words by William Engvick; Music by Wilder and Morty Palitz
Vocal by Helen Forrest, Dalton Rizzotto, Harry James and the band
Recorded December 11, 1941
Samuel Baron flute; Jerome Roth oboe; David Glazer clarinet; John Barrows horn; Bernard Garfield bassoon
Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder
Stan Freeman harpsichord, Mundell Lowe guitar, Chauncey Morehouse drums
Recorded December 1953
Composed by Alec Wilder
First of four movements of Jazz Suite for Four Horns, aka Conversation Piece
Recorded September 1951
Words by Wilder; Music by Finckel, who lived in Pennsylvania
Recorded December 31, 1947
Music by Al Lafett aka Alexander Lafayette Chew Wilder
Words by Arnold Sundgaard (who died on October 22 at age 96 - R.I.P.)
Released by the Fontane Sisters on RCA Victor, and shipped coast to coast on June 22, 1952
Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder
Written in 1954
Sung by Morgana King from the LP Winter of My Discontent (Ascot AM 13014)
Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder
Recorded November 1953
See redblanchard dot com for context, and to hear Things are Mighty Dimph in South Pahrumph (1961) also by Engvick-Wilder
Music by Alec Wilder
Recorded at the first Octet session on December 19, 1938
Gross harpsichord; Carroll clarinet; Mondello bass clarinet; Powell flute; Miller oboe; Goltzer bassoon; Carroll bass; Gillis drums