Pietro A. Yon

Italian born organist who made his career in the United States. Yon was born in Settimo Vittone, Italy, and studied at the conservatories of both Milan and Turin, also attending the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome. He served for a time as an organist at the Vatican and at the Royal Church in Rome before coming to the United States in 1907. From 1907 until 1926 he was the organist of St. Francis Xavier Church; in 1926 he became the organist of St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York. Yon was also a composer, most famous for his Humoresque "L'organo primitivo"- Toccatina for Flute, for organ, and his Gesù bambino. His pupils included Cole Porter, and his godson Norman Dello Joio.