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 use 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

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 De Sena (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!!

Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1945

Recorded August 1950

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)

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, Music by Alec Wilder

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

Fourth of four movements

see wilderworld 14

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!"

Words and Music by Alec Wilder

Composed and orchestrated by Alec Wilder

From the 1959 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 Marshall Barer, Music by Alec Wilder

Words by Arnold Sundgaard, Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1954

From LP Tom Kennedy On His Way (Golden Crest CR 3011)

Words by Dort DuBois (aka Bill Engvick), Music by Al Alder (aka Alec Wilder)

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 Fred Ebb, Music by Alec Wilder

Words by William Engvick, Music by Alec Wilder

The music was originally composed as Slow Waltz for the 1961 film The Sand Castle. It was not used 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)

Words by Alec Wilder, Music by Enric Madriguera

Recorded March 28, 1941

Alec Wilder Octet as on wilderworld 59

From LP Alec Wilder Octets (Mercury 25008)

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 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)

Words and music by Alec Wilder

Recorded May 24, 1948

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 and Music by Alec Wilder

Recorded September 18, 1939

Alec's first record!

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

Written in 1980

The last song 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

The first Alec Wilder Octet side

Recorded December 19, 1938

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)

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

1. 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

Words by Alec Wilder

Music by George Barnes

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

Written, Arranged and Conducted by Alec Wilder

Recorded January 25, 1940

Words by Jeremy Stephen aka Arnold Sundgaard

Music 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 McGlohon

Written in 1976

Laine vocal; Moore piano; Ray Brown bass; Nick Ceroli drums

Written for Marian McPartland

Jay Leonhart bass; Jimmy Madison 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)

Words by William Engvick

Recorded June 1952

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 Alec Wilder; Music by Nat Shapiro

Recorded December 1951

Written in 1945

Recorded August 25, 1948

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

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

Recorded June 1949

Words by William Engvick

Written in 1956

From LP Chris Connor Witchcraft (Atlantic 8032)

Recorded October 5, 1959

Recorded Summer 1957

Words by William Engvick

Written in 1962

Recorded March 10, 1964

Recorded December 19, 1938

Words and piano by Loonis McGlohon

Written in 1980

From LP Eileen Farrell sings Alec Wilder (Reference Recordings RR-36)

Words by William Engvick

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 by Arthur Writ and Leo Israel

Recorded February 4, 1952

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

Recorded June 13, 1939

Alec Wilder Octet as on wilderworld 01

From LP Columbia Nonbreakable ML 4271 1950

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 Arnold Sundgaard

Words by William Engvick; Music by Alec Wilder and Morty Palitz

Written in 1943

Recorded May 31, 1951

Words by William Engvick; Music by Wilder and 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

Written in 1954

Words by Wilder and Gilbert; Music by Sauter

Written in 1944

Recorded January 31, 1946

Words by William Engvick

Written in 1945

From LP Something's Coming (Warwick 2012)

Music by Alec Wilder and Willis Conover (see wilderworld 22)

Words by Jill Jackson

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 1982)

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

Words by Marshall Barer

Kit Carson was a pseudonym for vocalist Liza Morrow

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)

Words by Engvick

Recorded January 6, 1956

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

Recorded June 12, 1939

Words by Norman Gimbel, Music by Alec Wilder

Words and Music by Alec Wilder

Recorded June 12, 1947

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

Recorded May 19, 1952

Band leader Jimmy Carroll

Columbia 39812

Words by Willis Conover, Music by Alec Wilder

Written in 1967

aka The City

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

Written in 1941

Recorded August 1951

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

Lowe, Guitar is Mundell Lowe; Morehouse, Drums is Chauncey Morehouse

Recorded December 1953

Recorded June 24, 1941

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

Al Lafett is Alexander Lafayette Chew Wilder in disguise

Words by Sundgaard (who died on October 22 at age 96 - R.I.P.)

Words by William Engvick

Written in 1954

From LP Winter of My Discontent (Ascot AM 13014)

Recorded August 7, 1940

Capitol 1968

Vocal with orchestra conducted by Nelson Riddle

Recorded January 10, 1952

Words by Wilder; Music by Eddie Heywood

Recorded December 1954

Words by A. A. Milne

Originally issued in 1951 as Golden Records R62

Words by Marshall Barer

Words by Eager

Written in 1949

Words by William Engvick

Recorded November 1953

See redblanchard dot com for context, and to hear Things are Mighty Dimph in South Pahrumph (1961) also by Engvick-Wilder

Words by Norman Gimbel, 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