Phillip Wilcher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Phillip Wilcher
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Wilcher in 2012
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Phillip Leslie Wilcher |
| Born | 16 March 1958 Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia |
| Genres | Classical, children's |
| Occupation(s) |
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| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1972–present |
| Labels | Wirripang |
Phillip Leslie Wilcher (born 16 March 1958) is an Australian pianist and composer of classical music. He was also a founding member of the popular children's music group, The Wiggles. When Wilcher was just 14 years old, he published his first work, "Daybreak". This made him one of Australia's youngest classical composers at the time.
Wilcher has created over 100 piano pieces. He has performed by himself and with music groups. His music style is often described as "free-flowing" and "romantic". It focuses on beautiful melodies and expressive tunes. His music has been played on radio stations like ABC-FM and 2MBS-FM. Two special radio shows, Wilcher and the French Connection and Wilcher's World, have also featured his music.
Contents
About Phillip Wilcher's Life
Phillip Leslie Wilcher was born to Naomi Joy Thompson and Leslie James Wilcher. His father was a veteran of World War II. Phillip grew up in Camperdown, Australia. In 2004, he lived in Concord. He doesn't own a cell phone, watch, or car. He once said that writing music has been his whole life. He would be happy living simply with just a piano and music paper.
Phillip Wilcher's Music Journey
Starting with Piano and Composing
Wilcher began taking piano lessons when he was eight years old. His first teachers were Gladys Woodward and Jean Teasel. He became interested in writing music even before he was a teenager.
At 14, Wilcher published his first piano piece, "Daybreak". It was released by J. Albert & Son, a music company in Sydney. This made him the youngest published composer in Australia back then. John Martin later recorded "Daybreak" on his CD, Ancient Rivers, in 2006.
Around that time, Richard Gill gave Wilcher an award. It was for his piece called 'Autumn Mists' at the City of Sydney Eisteddfod. Gill praised one of his other entries, an Etude, calling it a "noble effort." He even said it "rivaled Chopin's Etude Opus 10 No. 4" in its ideas and difficulty. Wilcher remembered Gill encouraging him to keep going. Gill even suggested that his name would be "worth remembering."
For seven years, Wilcher studied with Franz Holford. Holford was a composer and music expert. He also worked as an editor at J. Albert & Son. Wilcher later wrote music with Holford for over twenty years.
One special moment was meeting Fernando Germani. Germani was the organist at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Wilcher played a Chopin piece for him. Germani was so touched that he shed a tear. Wilcher's piano piece, "Autumn Rain," was published by J. Albert & Son when he was 17.
He also learned from classical musicians Neta Maughan and Elpis Liossatos. He started a long friendship with composer Miriam Hyde. Hyde once said that Australia was lucky to have a composer like Wilcher. She felt he could create sensitive music despite the world's problems.
In 1976, Wilcher became an assistant editor. He worked in the Classical/Educational Division at J. Albert & Son. These years helped him learn about both classical and pop music. He met famous musicians like Bon Scott from AC/DC and Marc Hunter from Dragon. Wilcher remembered Marc Hunter as a true gentleman.
Working at ABC and Meeting Influences
During the 1980s, Wilcher worked for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). There, he met Ned Rorem, an American composer who won a Pulitzer Prize. Rorem greatly influenced Wilcher's ideas about creativity. Rorem once wrote to Wilcher, "The meaning of Life is to seek Life's meaning." Wilcher considers Rorem a mentor, and they wrote letters to each other for over 30 years.
Also in the 1980s, Wilcher became friends with the family of American pianist Liberace. He visited them many times in Las Vegas. After playing for Liberace's birthday celebration in 1989, Wilcher received a thank-you letter. The letter mentioned that Wilcher's visit felt special, as if Liberace himself had arranged it.
In 1992, Wilcher met and befriended Ruby Keeler. She was a famous American actress, dancer, and singer. She starred in movies like 42nd Street. Wilcher later wrote a tribute to her after she passed away. He described her as "unpretentiously elegant" and full of "innate and articulate goodness."
The Wiggles and Children's Music
In the late 1980s, Wilcher started working in a music program for young children. It was at Macquarie University. He was invited to lead a special class about making music for kids. Students and staff were very impressed by his knowledge and passion.
In 1990, Wilcher met Anthony Field. Anthony was studying child development. Wilcher says Anthony asked him to help record their first album. Wilcher believes he wrote most of the music for that first album. One of his pieces, "Summer Dance," which he wrote at 14, became "Archie's Theme" on the album. Wilcher was called Archie because he admired Liberace. He also appeared in two of the group's early videos.
In 1992, Wilcher left The Wiggles. A spokesperson said he resigned to focus on classical music. However, Wilcher claims he was advised to resign to avoid future album expenses. He believed he still had a verbal agreement to compose for them.
Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA) gave the band, including Wilcher, gold and platinum awards for their first album. Fellow founding member Greg Page said Wilcher had "considerable input" into the songs. He called Wilcher "quite a musical genius."
In 1993, Wilcher published A Musical Offering. It was a lesson plan for early childhood music activities. Other composers praised it for its creative and imaginative approach. They said it would help young children enjoy music and build a strong foundation.
Around 2000, The Wiggles re-recorded their first album. They renamed it "Wiggle Time" and removed all of Wilcher's songs. In 2005, some news reports made it seem like Wilcher was criticizing The Wiggles. However, he later said reporters misunderstood him.
Classical Music Career Continues
Wilcher has written over 100 pieces for solo piano. He has also composed music for soloists with piano and for small music groups. His music has been called "an eclectic mix of classical and flim-flam." Wilcher's compositions are influenced by composers like Chopin and J.S. Bach. Some of his works use Eastern scales, like his Six Etudes.
He has written music for other pianists and musicians. He also set poetry to music for American writer Jack Larson. Larson was famous for playing Jimmy Olsen in the 1950s Superman TV show.
In 2007, Wilcher composed "1791." This piece honored Mozart on the anniversary of his death. It was performed by an oboist and a string ensemble. This work appeared on his album Into His Countenance (2008). His music is also on other CDs from Jade Music and Wirripang.
Pianist Jeanell Carrigan has recorded six CDs of Wilcher's music. She said his music can transport the listener to different places. She noted his clever use of harmony and rhythm to create the perfect mood. Another reviewer described his style as "free-flowing" and "romantic." They compared it to composers like Rachmaninov and Brahms.
Mike Smith from 2MBS-FM described Wilcher as shy and private. He said Wilcher prefers sketches over photos. Smith added that Wilcher's music reveals his soul more than any camera could. His style is gentle and intimate.
Wilcher has performed solo and with groups. He has played three times for the Liberace Foundation in Las Vegas. After one performance in 1992, the Liberace Club praised his "magnificent performance." They said his "brilliant piano artistry" included classical and popular pieces. They also noted the artistic feeling in his own compositions.
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His music has been played on radio stations ABC-FM and 2MBS-FM. The latter has aired two documentaries about his music. Wilcher also gives public talks. He is a life member of Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). He is also on the board of the Australian Music Teacher Magazine. He has written articles for them about famous composers. From 2005 to 2007, Wilcher's music was used in the Australian TV show Neighbours.
In 2011, Wilcher wrote a piece for string quartet called "Remembered On Waking." He wrote it after learning about the death of American YouTuber Benjamin Daniel Breedlove. This piece was on his 2014 album Heaven-Haven. During the album's creation, Wilcher heard about the death of Thomas Kelly, an 18-year-old in Sydney. He felt great sadness and dedicated the album to Kelly. Proceeds from the album went to the Thomas Kelly Youth Foundation.
Wilcher's 2017 album, The Voice of Love, is dedicated to Rosemary Eather. She was the host of the Australian children's TV show Good Morning!!!. The album features piano and cello pieces. In 2021, a report noted that Wilcher donated his letters with Rosemary Eather to the National Film and Sound Archive. This collection shows the relationship between a TV personality and her audience.
Also in 2017, soprano Ayse Goknur Shanal performed two of Wilcher's songs. She sang them at the Sydney Opera House. One song, "Spirit Song," was written for a 'Songs for Refugees' concert. This concert raised money for a law firm that helps refugees.
More recently, Wilcher has published books, including his autobiography, Thinking Allowed. He has written a piano recital for pianist Simon Tedeschi. Other pianists from around the world have performed his music.
Simon Tedeschi said Wilcher's music "dreamily evokes another time, another place." He noted its "searching quality" and how it reminds him of great Romantic composers. Tedeschi is proud to see Wilcher's musical journey.
Other musicians who have performed Wilcher's works include John Martin (piano), Rachel Tolmie (oboist), and many others.
Wilcher continues to compose and release music. His most recent release, Spellbound, came out in 2019. A reviewer called it an "inner exploration of one's self." They said the music creates an experience that will be remembered. The album features piano, violin, and cello. The reviewer noted the "natural connectedness and fluidity" of the instruments. They also said the music is "pure rest and recreation" for musicians. It can inspire future composers.
In 2020, Wilcher wrote a piano piece called "When eyes first saw, thy beauty was as this ..." It was in memory of pianist Shirley Paton. A scholarship was later created in her name. One rule for the scholarship is that pianists must play Wilcher's piece. In 2022, Wilcher won third prize in the 7th Vienna International Music Competition. He also won third place diplomas in another competition for his compositions.
Later Life and Family
For 12 years, Wilcher was a full-time carer for his father. His father was battling dementia. Wilcher said he needed to remember his father's history more often. He aimed to show compassion through patience.
Recently, American composer Matthew Bridgham dedicated a song-cycle to Wilcher and his father. It is called "Seasons of Seizing." It explores experiences with temporal lobe epilepsy. This song-cycle was performed at Yale University in November 2022.
After his father passed away in August 2022, Wilcher made a special gift. He donated the upright Mignon piano his father bought him as a child. This was the piano on which he composed "Daybreak." The piano went to a community effort to create a home for Ukrainian refugees.
Health and Recovery
Hospital Stay
In October 1997, when he was 39, Wilcher was admitted to Concord Repatriation Hospital. He had been experiencing changes in his behavior. A doctor noted his fast speech and quickly changing thoughts. He talked about many things, from a Liberace concert to recent Wiggles articles. He was treated and returned home after several weeks.
In 2002, his doctor wrote to Wilcher. The doctor was thrilled that Wilcher was getting recognition. He said that a mental health challenge was "no barrier to a normal lifestyle." He hoped Wilcher would receive international recognition.
Overcoming an Attack
In May 2003, Wilcher was attacked near his home. Three young people beat him with a wooden plank. He suffered many injuries, including a dislocated shoulder. He was very close to death when he arrived at the hospital.
Wilcher chose not to press charges against his attackers. He focused on forgiveness as a way to heal himself and for them. After the attack, he wrote a letter in a local newspaper. In it, he expressed his concern and forgiveness for his attackers.
Beliefs and Faith
According to Wilcher's autobiography, Thinking Allowed, he was baptized in the Catholic faith on 10 March 1991. Anthony Field encouraged him to explore the Catholic faith. Anthony Field became his godfather, and Anthony's mother, Marie, became his godmother.
Today, Wilcher does not belong to one specific religious group. However, he recognizes the importance of Christ's teachings in his life.
Wilcher believes his music and creativity come from a deep source. The late Raymond Smullyan, a philosopher, saw a connection between Wilcher's music and Eastern traditions. Smullyan once told Wilcher, "I wish to compliment Taoism and Zen Buddhism by saying that I see a certain similarity between them and your music."
Images for kids
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Wilcher in 2012
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A letter from actor Jack Larson to Phillip Wilcher in March 2000.
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Phillip Wilcher performing at the Liberace Museum in Las Vegas, 16 May 1992.
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Phillip Wilcher's baptism in March 1991.
