Gesu Bambino: Arranged for Baritone Soloist and Orchestra with New English Lyrics Tapa blanda - 2016

Pietro A Yon, (1886-1943) organ virtuoso and composer, was born in Settimo Vittone, (Piedmont, Italy), and studied at the conservatories of both Milan and Turin. In the spring of 1907, Father John B. Young, pastor of St. Francis Xavier Church in Manhattan, was in Rome on Vatican business and additionally to seek out a replacement for his organist Gaston Dethier, who was leaving to ursue a concert career. Upon hearing Yon play, Father Young was sufficiently impressed to offer him a three-year contract. Thus Yon at age 21 came to the United States, where from 1907 until 1926 he was the organist of St. Francis Xavier Church. He joined his brother S. Constantino Yon, who had preceded him and held a similar position at St. Vincent Ferrer Church and later at St. Patrick's cathedral in New York City. As a composer, he is most famous for his Humoresque "L'organo primitivo"- Toccatina for Flute, for organ, and his Christmas piece Ges bambino. He also wrote many works for organ, piano, and orchestra, including a Concerto Gregoriano for organ and orchestra (inspired by his experiences with the Wanamaker Organ) (with a companion version for organ and piano), Speranza (Hope) - Solo for Diapason, Concert Study #1 and #2, American Rhapsody and a concerto for oboe. Yon died in Huntington, New York on November 22, 1943 due to a massive stroke.