Renowned organist and composer Dr. Walter Hilse (1941–2022) passed away peacefully in his sleep early on December 31 at home.
A memorial service will be held at St. Malachy’s Church (239 West 49th St.), New York, New York, on Friday, January 20, at 2 pm. Click here to be directed to the online tribute hall.
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 music. His teachers included Nadia Boulanger, Maurice Duruflé, Vincent Persichetti, and Bronson Ragan.
As a solo performer, he appeared throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia, 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.” The Berkshire Bach Society released a CD of his live 1995 performance at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. A CD featuring performances of music by various organ composers was released by J.A.V. Recordings.
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 ensembles. He was awarded the Joseph H. Bearns Prize of Columbia University (1966) and the Choral Composition Prize of the Boston Chapter AGO (1974).
As a musicologist, he specialized in the works of both Paul Hindemith and Christoph Bernhard, and was a regular contributor to “The American Organist.”
Hilse was a Fellow of the American Guild of Organists and past Dean of the New York City chapter, 1982–84. He served on the National Council in the late 1970s as Registrar, and was a longtime member and chair (1981-88) of the AGO’s then-Examination Committee, later renamed the Professional Certification Committee. Hilse is credited with guiding the program for more than four decades.
“Walter has been the steady anchor for AGO certification during the rotation of countless committee members, thereby assuring the reliable academic standard of these examinations,” said Past President John Walker.
A man of quiet faith, he was artist-in-residence at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, associate organist at Congregation Rodeph Sholom, and organist for Redeemer Presbyterian Church since 1996.
A consummate and beloved teacher, Hilse was regarded for the endless support and encouragement he gave to all his students. Hilse recently retired from the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music, where he taught since 1984.
Following the announcement of his death on social media, former colleagues and students remembered Hilse’s virtuosity, sensitive collaborations with numerous fine musicians across the city, and his sense of humor, quiet wisdom, and gentle kindness. Others noted his fondness for cats and good taste in confections.
Hilse 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 and date to be announced.
