A Little Sonata for the Night before Christmas (1990)

Richard Hillert (1923–2010) — A Little Sonata for the Night before Christmas (1990) for organ

American composer Richard Hillert (1923–2010) was a native of Wisconsin and was educated at Concordia University Chicago (BS in Education) and Northwestern University (MM and DM in Composition). Hillert was an extremely significant figure in American Lutheran music and was Professor of Music at Concordia University Chicago from 1959 to 1993. Besides training several generations of American Lutheran musicians, his original compositions were widely published and performed. As a composer and editor of liturgical music, Hillert published many works and arrangements in the denominational hymnals and was the music editor for the 1978 edition of the Lutheran Book of Worship. In addition to his liturgical works, Hillert wrote a number of concert works including several symphonic works for orchestra, numerous pieces of chamber music, and many concert choral works. During the 1960s and 70s he also explored electronic music.