John La Montaine-The Daily Ledger

John Maynard La Montaine, also later LaMontaine, (March 17, 1920 – April 29, 2013) was an American pianist and composer, born in Oak Park, Illinois, who won the 1959 Pulitzer Prize for Music for his Piano Concerto No. 1 "In Time of War" (1958), which was premiered by Jorge Bolet.

His teachers included Howard Hanson, Bernard Rogers, and Nadia Boulanger. His works have been performed by Leontyne Price, Jessye Norman, Adele Addison, Donald Graham, Robert Silverman, Eleanor Steber and Jorge Bolet.

John La Montaine

In honor of the American Bicentennial celebration in 1976, he was commissioned to create a choral work for the Penn State Institute for Arts and Humanistic Studies. The opera, entitled Be Glad Then America, was performed by the University Choirs, under the direction of Sarah Caldwell. The folk singer Odetta appeared as the Muse for America.

John La Montaine

La Montaine lived in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. His publishing company, Fredonia Press, is named for the street on which he lived. His business partner was the composer and pianist Paul J. Sifler (1911–2001).

John La Montaine

Selected works

Opera

Novellis, Novellis, a Pageant Opera for narrator, soloists, chorus and orchestra, Op. 31 (1961); libretto adapted by the composer from the Bible, 2 medieval miracle plays, and the Latin liturgy. Premiered December 2, 1962 in Cleveland's Church of the Covenant, followed by performances two days later in New York City's Riverside Church in a Union Theological Seminary production, players included Mac Morgan, Stanley Kole, Maria Di Garlando, Ara Berberian, Charles Bressler, Naomi Farr, and Elaine Bonazzi. The Shephardes Playe, a Pagaent Opera for Christmas, Op. 38 (1967); libretto adapted by the composer from 4 medieval Corpus Christi plays; televised in 1968 Erode the Greate, a Pageant Opera in 2 acts, Op. 40 (1969); libretto adapted by the composer from the Bible, medieval miracle plays, and the Latin liturgy Be Glad Then, America, a Decent Entertainment from the Thirteen Colonies, Op. 43 (1974–75); libretto by the composer from historical sources

Orchestral

Canons, Op. 10a (1965); original version for piano solo

Recitative, Aria, and Finale for string orchestra, Op. 16a (1965) Jubilant Overture, Op. 20 (1959) Colloquy for string orchestra, Op. 21 (1965) Passacaglia and Fugue for string orchestra, Op. 21a Symphony No. 1, Op. 28 (1957) Let My Beloved Come into His Garden, Interlude from The Song of Songs, Op. 29a (1965); adapted from the song cycle Fragments from the Song of Songs, Op. 29 From Sea to Shining Sea, Overture, Op. 30 (1961) A Summer's Day, a Sonnet for chamber orchestra, Op. 32 (1962); after a sonnet of William Shakespeare; also arranged for piano Canticle, Op. 33 (1965) Nightwings (1966) Five Sonnets after Shakespeare (1974); original for voice and piano Incantation for jazz band, Op. 39 (1968) Lexington Green, March "Based on Tunes of William Billings (1746–1800)" for band or orchestra (1974) Be Glad Then, America, Overture: an Early American Sampler, Op. 43 (1975); overture to the opera Concerto for string orchestra, Op. 51 (1981); based on the String Quartet, Op. 16 (1965)

Concertante

Concerto No. 1 In Time of War for piano and orchestra, Op. 9 (1958). Premiered by Jorge Bolet and the National Symphony Orchestra under Howard Mitchell. Ode for oboe and orchestra, Op. 11 (1952) Birds Of Paradise: On the Infinite Efflorescence of Living Things for piano and orchestra, Op. 34 (1964) Concerto for flute and orchestra, Op. 48 (1980) Symphonic Variations for piano and orchestra, Op. 50 (1982) Concerto No. 2 Transformations for piano and orchestra, Op. 55 (1987) Concerto No. 3 Children's Games for piano and orchestra (1985) Concerto No. 4 for piano and orchestra, Op. 59 (1989)

Chamber and instrumental music

Sonata for cello and piano, Op. 8 (1950) String Quartet, Op. 16 (1965) Sonata for flute solo, Op. 24 (1957) Quartet for Woodwinds for flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon, Op. 24a (1969); melodic material based on the Sonata for flute solo, Op. 24 Conversations for clarinet (or viola, or violin, or flute, or trombone, or marimba) and piano, Op. 42 (1977) Scherzo for 4 trombones (1977) 12 Studies for 2 flutes, Op. 46 (1979) Canonic Variations for flute and clarinet, Op. 47 (1980) 2 Scenes from the Song of Solomon for flute and piano, Op. 49 (1978) or flute and 2 violins, viola, cello, double bass, piano and percussion (1980); adapted from the song cycle Fragments from the Song of Songs, Op. 29 Come into My Garden, Interlude My Beloved, Let Us Go Forth Sonata for piccolo and piano, Op. 61 (1993)