[1943 HILDEGARDE inscribed by William Wirges composer sheet music RARE] THY WILL BE DONE – BY ME by Richard Maxwell and William Wirges
for Medium High Voice, published by Maxwell – Wirges Publications, 1650 Broadway, New York, 1943, sheet music, 6 pages including covers,
inscribed inside the front cover, “To Hildegarde, With fond remembrance of our Happy Association, Sincerely, Bill Wirges”
; signature authenticated by seller with lifetime guarantee, RARE signature, no others being found for sale (1/27/21)
/// POINTS OF INTEREST: WILLIAM/BILL WIRGES
(1894-1971), “Mr. Wirges had been the pianist for Al Jolson, Harry Richman, Belle Baker, Jessica Dragonette and Jane Froman. His works included ‘Mississippi Lament,’ a choral composition, and three song books. ‘Christianity in Song,’ ‘Fifty‐five Good Will Songs’ and ‘Smile Songs.’ He also wrote a number of religious songs, including ‘O Jesus in Remembrance Now’ and many popular numbers, among them ‘I Had That Dream Again,’ ‘Dear Friends and Gentle Hearts: A Toast to Love’ and the jingle ‘Chiquita Banana.” (N. Y. Times obituary, Oct. 2, 1971); Wirges was also conductor for radio studio orchestras for many of Hildegarde’s radio programs in the 1940s;
HILDEGARDE
, 1906-2005, born Hildegarde Loretta Sell, began her career in vaudeville and traveling shows; at the peak of her popularity in the 1930s and ’40s; in the early 1930s, Hildegarde was working as a ‘song plugger’ in Irving Berlin’s New York music office, dubbed “The Incomparable Hildegarde” by Walter Winchell, she performed before European royalty and American servicemen during World War II; Eleanor Roosevelt called her “First Lady of the Supper Clubs”; during the 1940s, she was the host of the NBC radio program “Raleigh Room”
/// CONDITION:
sheet music near fine with light vertical crease near folds of each page, Wirges’ autograph bold and clean, get in touch if you have any questions; keywords: music memorabilia, entertainer signature, popular culture, radio history, conductor autograph.