15 Facts About Pietro Yon

Pietro Alessandro Yon was an Italian-born organist and composer who made his career in the United States.

Pietro Yon was the last son of three of Antonio Yon and Margherita Piazza, his siblings were Stefano Constantino and Lina.

Pietro Yon then attended the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome, studying organ with Remigio Renzi, piano with Bustini and Sgambati, and De Sanctis in composition.

Pietro Yon joined his brother S Constantino Yon, who had preceded him and held a similar position at St Vincent Ferrer Church.

From 1919 to 1921 Pietro Yon was substitute organist at the Vatican's Cappella Giulia.

Also in 1927 Pietro Yon was approached by Carnegie Hall to assist in the replacement of its outmoded Hillgreen, Lane organ with a 4-manual, 59-rank instrument, by Kilgen with Courboin as tonal director.

On May 1,1928, Yon was promoted to music director replacing James C Ungerer, who had been at the Cathedral for 36 years.

Pietro Yon's wife died in 1929; she was buried in Settimo Vittone, Italy.

In 1933, when the position of Associate Organist at the Cathedral became vacant, Yon chose as a replacement Edward J Rivetti, one of his own students.

Pietro Yon was a composer, most famous for his Humoresque "L'organo primitivo"- Toccatina for Flute, for organ, and his Christmas piece Gesu bambino.

Pietro Yon composed several masses, like his "Missa Regina Pacis", for three equal voices and organ; and his "Missa Eucharistica" for three unequal voices and organ.

In time, it became obvious that Pietro Yon would take a long time to recover if at all.

Pietro Yon was heavily engaged in a recital and teaching career, in addition to consultation on many new organs and performing radio broadcasts on WOR.

Pietro Yon died in Huntington, New York on November 22,1943, the feast of St Cecilia.

Pietro Yon is buried with his sister Lina at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Westchester County.