Wihtol, Joseph

1863-

 

Born at Wolmar, Livonia. His first study of music was at Mitau. From 1881 to 1886 he studied at the St. Petersburg Conservatory under Johansen for harmony and RimskyKorsakov for composition and instrumentation. At his graduation he won the gold medal. He immediately devoted himself to teaching and in 1899 was made professor at the Conservatory. His compositions steadily gained in excellence and include a symphonic picture, La Fete Lhigo; a dramatic overture for orchestra; an E minor symphony, the Bard of Beverin, for chorus and orchestra; also many piano-pieces and male choruses. Many of his works are based on popular themes with which he was familiar in youth, while others are in his collection of folk-melodies.