Hugo Winterhalter(1909-1973)
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Hugo Winterhalter earned eleven Gold Records, a Grammy and a Cash Box
Award during his lengthy career, at least as many if not more than any
other conductor-arranger in the music business. Educated at Mount St.
Mary's College and the New England Conservatory of Music, he taught in
public schools and labored in railroad and other such jobs while
performing in area dance bands including those led by
Larry Clinton, Nye Mayhew and
Jack Jenney, for whom he arranged
"Stardust". By 1940 he had proven himself to be a talented arranger and
composer, going on to write for Count Basie,
Claude Thornhill,
Tommy Dorsey,
Jimmy Dorsey,
Raymond Scott,
Vaughn Monroe and others. At the
conclusion of the 1940s, he has begun to assemble his orchestra with
its unmistakable Winterhalter "sound". His first record - "Jealous
Heart", with vocalist Johnny Thompson for Columbia - made the Top Ten
in 1949, as did his second, "Blue Christmas". His last three Columbia
releases also charted - "Music! Music! Music!" with 'Theresa Brewer'
qv), "The Third Man Theme" and "My Foolish Heart". Moving to RCA
Victor, the 1950 "Count Every Star" was also a huge hit and stayed on
the charts for five months. One hit after another followed, some
remaining on the surveys for months. His orchestra was among the first
to record long-playing (LP) recordings. As musical director for the
MGM, Columbia, and RCA Victor record labels, the Winterhalter orchestra
and chorus also supported a number of top vocalists, including among
others Eddie Fisher,
Kay Starr,
Perry Como, the
Ames Brothers and
Stuart Foster. Near the end of his career,
he worked on Broadway and television and conducted symphonic programs
across the country.
